We were just on the Dream 2 weeks ago. For us, it was a blast. I suppose each family will have different results. But for our DS2, he loved it. He still talks about it. He spent his alloted time in IASW nursery. The CMs there were fantastic. Again, this was our personal exp. On embarcation day, we bypassed the kids club sign up at the port and went straight to the kids clubs. As we were getting DS8 wristband at the club, I happen to glance back to see my DH & DS2 walking hand in hand with Daisy Duck headed toward the Club to hang out during open house. My DS2 was all cheesey grins and it was a very special moment. I picked him up one evening at IASW nursery, only to find him talking up a storm to Miss Minnie Mouse who was sitting on the floor playing with him! Wow, what a thrill. On the morning we got off the ship, the CM's had left an envelope on our FE of some art he had done while he was in the nursery. They had taken the time to decorate the envelope. I thought that was really special and made for a very nice souviner. Of course, not every family will encounter a character in that way, but I have to tell you, we always run in to one or 2 while on the ship in the most random ways (meaning, not during the regularly scheduled meets). They always seem to make sure the characters show up at the nursery and I think the Club/Lab.
He is getting pretty used to the routine though. So that may have something to do with why he does well on the ships. This was his 3rd cruise. 2nd on the Dream and once on the Wonder. We always request 1st seating. We tell our servers if at all possible to bring the meals out as quickly as possible in the MDR. DS8 loves the Club/Lab & DS2 loved everywhere he was allowed to go. We will be taking him on the Fantasy in about a year and have a dummy date booked for the Dream (maybe going to switch it to the Wonder or Magic). He is not the most patient child at dinner. He never sits still at home. He is always on the go and very active. He found plenty to do on the ship and at all the ports. Loved loved loved Castaway. We rented bikes and rode around. He is a big 2 year old, but fit just fine in the toddler seats attached to the bikes. His highlight there oddly was the tram. We rode it around several times before finally getting off. I think the driver may have thought we did not know when to get off, but I think he eventually figured out why, because DS2 was just loving it. LOL.
HTH. Hope your family has an equally special or even better trip. For our family,
DCL is the right choice for us right now, maybe different as the kids get older.
Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions. We were just on the Dream 2 weeks ago.
