Dream Questions

[Heatherdbby]

Hey guys. I am doing my first cruise this October on the Dream, with a freshly turned 3 year old in tow.

Being the overly prepared single mom that I am - I am already packing and planning. (79 days and counting )

Just a few questions maybe a more experienced cruiser can answer for me.


1- I know there is icecream on board, but do they only offer cups? I have a wild child that demands cones.

2- How does debarking work? I see a lot of people post about getting on the ship in their reports.. Not so much for getting off.
Like what time do we have to be off the ship by?

3- Stopping in Nassau and Castaway Cay. - Both of these have gangways - not tender boats right?

4- We aren't booking any excursions. Its just a 3 night, and I know he is going to want to see characters. Is that going to be a big mistake?

5- What do I ***need** to know.
I know I can get a drink in a pineapple on Junkaroo for like 6 dollars.
I know they take USD so I don't need to do a cash exchange.
Singles for tips. (Debating taking 2's and stamping Mickey on them. I work in a bank so I can get fresh bills)
And we collect postcards so and CC has a post office where I can mail something but they are cash only and I'm thinking 10 dollars will mail a few post cards right? '

6- I am hoping to get some alone time. My minion is potty trained but I don't honestly know how he is going to feel about going to Kids Clubs, so I might have to pay for the nursery where I am sure they are much more used to children screaming while their parents gleefully skip away.

 

[mcgluvint]

Hey guys. I am doing my first cruise this October on the Dream, with a freshly turned 3 year old in tow.

Being the overly prepared single mom that I am - I am already packing and planning. (79 days and counting )

Just a few questions maybe a more experienced cruiser can answer for me.


1- I know there is icecream on board, but do they only offer cups? I have a wild child that demands cones.

2- How does debarking work? I see a lot of people post about getting on the ship in their reports.. Not so much for getting off.
Like what time do we have to be off the ship by?

3- Stopping in Nassau and Castaway Cay. - Both of these have gangways - not tender boats right?

4- We aren't booking any excursions. Its just a 3 night, and I know he is going to want to see characters. Is that going to be a big mistake?

5- What do I ***need** to know.
I know I can get a drink in a pineapple on Junkaroo for like 6 dollars.
I know they take USD so I don't need to do a cash exchange.
Singles for tips. (Debating taking 2's and stamping Mickey on them. I work in a bank so I can get fresh bills)
And we collect postcards so and CC has a post office where I can mail something but they are cash only and I'm thinking 10 dollars will mail a few post cards right? '

6- I am hoping to get some alone time. My minion is potty trained but I don't honestly know how he is going to feel about going to Kids Clubs, so I might have to pay for the nursery where I am sure they are much more used to children screaming while their parents gleefully skip away.

They have cones.

I believe its around 6:30-9:00

3. Both are gangways. No tender.

4. You will get to see many characters. You don't need to book excursions

5. IDK

6.How old is your toddler? He might not be able to go.

 

[sanglee23]

I'm not an experienced DCL cruiser, but since others have been helpful with me, I'll attempt to be helpful here.

1. They have cones
2. You have to be off by 9:30, out of your rooms by 8:30
3. Right.
4. Nope.
5. Right.
6. Sorry, I'm not sure.

 

[Vicki106]

We sailed a 4 day on the Dream in March 2016. From what I remember, here are the answers that I can help with (Just my opinions YMMV):

1. I think yes. But hopefully, someone will have a definitive answer. My minions are older and I prefer a cup of ice cream, so I didn't pay attention to whether or not they had cones.

2. Maybe I'm not too helpful. I think it is 8:30 am, but I could be off a little.

3. Yes. Both have gangways, not tenders! (I knew that one for sure!)

4. I don't think it is a mistake at all to skip excursions - especially with a small one. We stayed on board at Nassau, but enjoyed the beach at Castaway. There are so many things to do onboard, that you will be busy without excursions.

5. Yes. Singles work great for tips. Or Twos. And I know the post office on Castaway has short/sporadic hours. We didn't see it open when we were there.

6. I'd recommend that you go to the Kids Club with you child during open house and see how he does. Hopefully, he'll find an activity or CM that he really takes to and you will get some of that precious alone time without paying for the Nursery!

Enjoy!

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

1- I know there is icecream on board, but do they only offer cups? I have a wild child that demands cones.

Yes, there are cones at least at the free ice cream place. Not sure about the pay place.

2- How does debarking work? I see a lot of people post about getting on the ship in their reports.. Not so much for getting off.
Like what time do we have to be off the ship by?

They encourage you to be off by 8:30-9:00. If you are still onboard after 9am and are not sailing back-to-back, they will start politely moving you to get off.

3- Stopping in Nassau and Castaway Cay. - Both of these have gangways - not tender boats right?

Correct. No tenders.

4- We aren't booking any excursions. Its just a 3 night, and I know he is going to want to see characters. Is that going to be a big mistake?

Not really. It's all in what you want to do. There will be plenty of characters around.

5- And we collect postcards so and CC has a post office where I can mail something but they are cash only and I'm thinking 10 dollars will mail a few post cards right? '

10 dollars will be more than enough for a few post cards.

 

[bbel]

I see you pretty much got all your answers. But...

6: a three year old can use both the nursery and the club/lab. But you pay by the hour for the nursery and need to pre book. The club you pay a deposit for the band and come and go whenever.
Also I believe all ships now do 'pre school fun' in the club early on in the cruise where it's just for 3-5 year olds to get used to the space.

 

[Dug720]

5. in 4 trips to Castaway I have yet to see the post office open! My sister did once when she was just cruising, mailed postcards, and 6 years later my parents and I have yet to see either of our cards (mailed to separate addresses).

Bottom line: Don't count on being able to send anything from CC, and if by a miracle you are, don't count on it reaching its destination.

 

[TrishaK]

I'm pretty sure Vanellope's has cones. The places to get your own ice cream have cones.

We first sailed when our daughter was 3. We checked out the kids clubs during the open houses. I think we only dropped her off once for about 30 minutes, and then she wanted to leave. Even this time around when she was 7, she still wasn't that interested in the clubs; I'm not sure why.

Most everything is paid for with your key to the world card; cash is fine for room service tips.

In 4 cruises and 5 stops at Castaway Cay, I've never seen that post office open.

 

[Weedy]

Disembarking
The last night of the cruise you will need to pack your bags and have them in the hallways by 10pm. Be sure to keep a small bag with you to carry off the items you keep with you for the last night. Don't forget to keep shoes with you for the last morning. You will be given a luggage tag with a character on it to attach to your bag. Remember the character!! Your bags will be in that section in the morning.
The last morning if you have the early dinner seating you will be assigned the early breakfast 6:30am Late dinner seating is the later breakfast 8:00. Cabanas is also open 6:30-8:30. They want everyone out of their cabin by 8am and off the ship by 9:00-9:30.
After breakfast you will get off the ship. All the luggage is in a large warehouse type area. There will be signs with pictures of the characters. Your bags will be in that area. There will be porters available to help with your bags. They will help you all the way to your car/bus. ***You should tip a few dollars per bag.
After you get your bags you will go through customs. This is where you will need to show your birth certificates or passports.
I've always done late breakfast and it takes 25-35 minutes to get off the ship, gather your bags and get through customs.

 

[Heatherdbby]

6.How old is your toddler? He might not be able to go.

He will have just turned 3 at time of sailing.

 

[Heatherdbby]

We sailed a 4 day on the Dream in March 2016. From what I remember, here are the answers that I can help with (Just my opinions YMMV):


5. Yes. Singles work great for tips. Or Twos. And I know the post office on Castaway has short/sporadic hours. We didn't see it open when we were there.

6. I'd recommend that you go to the Kids Club with you child during open house and see how he does. Hopefully, he'll find an activity or CM that he really takes to and you will get some of that precious alone time without paying for the Nursery!

Enjoy!

Oh the short hours is definitely something to note!
and I am praying he finds someone to attach to. lol.

 

[Heatherdbby]

I see you pretty much got all your answers. But...

6: a three year old can use both the nursery and the club/lab. But you pay by the hour for the nursery and need to pre book. The club you pay a deposit for the band and come and go whenever.
Also I believe all ships now do 'pre school fun' in the club early on in the cruise where it's just for 3-5 year olds to get used to the space.

Oh I am going to write this preschool fun note down and hopefully find out more about it!

 

[Heatherdbby]

I'm pretty sure Vanellope's has cones. The places to get your own ice cream have cones.

We first sailed when our daughter was 3. We checked out the kids clubs during the open houses. I think we only dropped her off once for about 30 minutes, and then she wanted to leave. Even this time around when she was 7, she still wasn't that interested in the clubs; I'm not sure why.

Most everything is paid for with your key to the world card; cash is fine for room service tips.

In 4 cruises and 5 stops at Castaway Cay, I've never seen that post office open.

Starting to lose faith in the post office lol.
So when she was 3 and only stayed about 30 minutes.. Do they just call the wave phone or message the app and say hey your kid is freaking out come back?

 

[Heatherdbby]

FYI: the last night of the cruise you will need to pack your bags and have them in the hallways by 10pm. Be sure to keep a small bag with you to carry off the items you keep with you for the last night. Don't forget to keep shoes with you for the last morning. You will be given a luggage tag with a character on to attach to your bag. Remember the character!! Your bags will be in that section in the morning.
The last morning if you have the early dinner seating you will be assigned the early breakfast 6:30am Late dinner seating is the later breakfast 8:00. Cabanas is also open 6:30-8:30. They want everyone out of their cabin by 8am and off the ship by 9:00-9:30.
After breakfast you will get off the ship. All the luggage is in a large warehouse type area. There will be signs with pictures of the characters. Your bags will be in that area. There will be porters available to help with your bags. They will help you all the way to your car/bus. ***You should tip a few dollars per bag.
After you get your bags you will go through customs. This is where you will need to show your birth certificates or passports.
I've always done late breakfast and it takes 25-35 minutes to get off the ship, gather your bags and get through customs.

Thank you for the details on embarking.
My mom wanted me to try to find her some vanilla when I was in Nassau and bring it back. but can I bring that through customs?

 

[Heatherdbby]

Thank you everyone!
My next question is for castaway cay -- does anyone know where I can find height restrictions / prices for things to do there? Like I know he isn't big enough for snorkeling and I am kind terrified of letting him get out to the waterslide. But! I saw something about paddle boats and beach trikes?

 

[Mr. Drauer]

Thank you everyone!
My next question is for castaway cay -- does anyone know where I can find height restrictions / prices for things to do there? Like I know he isn't big enough for snorkeling and I am kind terrified of letting him get out to the waterslide. But! I saw something about paddle boats and beach trikes?

If you go to Scott's blog @ disneycruiselineblog.com you can search for lots of info including past Navigators from the Dream. The waterslide (Pelican Plung) has 2 slides (one open and one closed) but the water is about 8 - 10 feet deep, so its unlikely he would go by himself, though they have life jackets for all kids under a certain height. The boats and trikes are ages 5 and up I believe, and all the excursions except the boat ride and glass bottom boat are aged older (5 and up, or 8 and up, or older). They do have bicycle rentals for all ages including some with training wheels and adult bikes with child seats in the rear.

 

[bbel]

Oh I am going to write this preschool fun note down and hopefully find out more about it!

What do you want to know? (Until late last year I was a YA CM...)
It usually happens the first (full day) morning. It's just for 3,4,5 year olds to Come in explore the club. Often there's a programme e.g little einsteins, heffalump expedition. Its pretty quiet and calm. It's usually for 30-60 minutes. It is drop off but sometimes follows Open House, so you can go in together get used to the space then drop off for preschool fun. When it ends, they just open up to everyone so you want to pick up before if you don't want them with older kids.
If I kid gets upset or asks to leave they'll send a message to the wave phone, but they usually try and get them to stay around 20 minutes first.

 

[Heatherdbby]

What do you want to know? (Until late last year I was a YA CM...)
It usually happens the first (full day) morning. It's just for 3,4,5 year olds to Come in explore the club. Often there's a programme e.g little einsteins, heffalump expedition. Its pretty quiet and calm. It's usually for 30-60 minutes. It is drop off but sometimes follows Open House, so you can go in together get used to the space then drop off for preschool fun. When it ends, they just open up to everyone so you want to pick up before if you don't want them with older kids.
If I kid gets upset or asks to leave they'll send a message to the wave phone, but they usually try and get them to stay around 20 minutes first.

Is it in the navigator when they will do the preschool thing? Or do I just need to ask around?

 

[bbel]

Is it in the navigator when they will do the preschool thing? Or do I just need to ask around?

Yup. It will say 'Pre-school Fun'
Since they changed the (paper) navigators, I don't think it says on that what activity will be happening during that time as well (it might do on the app), but you can ask about that.

 

[bbel]

Is it in the navigator when they will do the preschool thing? Or do I just need to ask around?