Dreaming of the Disney DREAM, Feb 17, 2013

[Douvres Family]

LOL We wouldn't be fans if we didn't dislike our team's rivals. But we all share the love for the game. BTW Boston is one of our favorite towns...gorgeous and historic

 

[nchristeutah]

We have the late seating as well. There was no other option when we booked the cruise. But I am pretty sure we are going to love it so I didn't even put our names down on the waiting list for the early seating. We will be celebrating our 13th anniversary and I really look forward to starting our meal with the kids and then having them continue onto the kids clubs while we finish in peace . We will also be trying out a veranda for the first time. one hand I hope we really love it. But on the other hand, I hope we don't love it so much that we have to do it from here on out .

I would love to meet everyone and we are going to do our best to board as early as possible so just tell us when and where the meeting will be and we will be there!

Natalie

 

[nchristeutah]

On our first cruise I read that it is best to try to board the ship as early as possible. So we got transportation to the port that dropped us off pretty much as soon as the port opened - and then we waited forever before being able to board the ship. I have learned since then that when you make your final payment influences your earliest possible boarding time. Are there any other tips or tricks to getting on the boat earlier rather than later? And to that end I should also probably ask whether you experienced cruisers feel it is worth trying to board as early as possible?

When do you try to board, why, and how do you accomplish it?

 

[dizneeat]

We have the late seating as well. There was no other option when we booked the cruise. But I am pretty sure we are going to love it so I didn't even put our names down on the waiting list for the early seating. We will be celebrating our 13th anniversary and I really look forward to starting our meal with the kids and then having them continue onto the kids clubs while we finish in peace . We will also be trying out a veranda for the first time. one hand I hope we really love it. But on the other hand, I hope we don't love it so much that we have to do it from here on out .

I would love to meet everyone and we are going to do our best to board as early as possible so just tell us when and where the meeting will be and we will be there!

Natalie

We have always had late dinner seating, but then we do not travel with kids.
Congratulations on celebrating your anniversary on the cruise!
Let me give you some advice on the veranda staterooms .......
We took our first and what was supposed to be ONLY cruise in 2009. Since it was supposed to be a once in a lifetime experience we went all out. Top deck and veranda and guess what ...... we were HOOKED!
I could not imagine cruising without a veranda stateroom any more. If this is "bad news" for you, then I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the veranda staterooms are AWESOME!!!!!!!!

On our first cruise I read that it is best to try to board the ship as early as possible. So we got transportation to the port that dropped us off pretty much as soon as the port opened - and then we waited forever before being able to board the ship. I have learned since then that when you make your final payment influences your earliest possible boarding time. Are there any other tips or tricks to getting on the boat earlier rather than later? And to that end I should also probably ask whether you experienced cruisers feel it is worth trying to board as early as possible?

When do you try to board, why, and how do you accomplish it?

It's not when you make your final payment, it's when you do the online check in that decides when you are allowed on board. (You need to be paid in full to do it, so that might be what you are taking about.)
If you REALLY wanna be on "first" do a back to back. Those on a b2b are allowed on before anyone else and we have enjoyed that privilage a few times. It is awesome.
If you can't do a b2b, then check in as soon as you can and get an early boarding time. They DO enforce the boarding times at busy times as with the larger ships. If you are a silver CC member a lot of people (gold, platinum and concierge) will have picked before you, but the sooner you can do it, the better.

 

[Douvres Family]

We have the late seating as well. There was no other option when we booked the cruise. But I am pretty sure we are going to love it so I didn't even put our names down on the waiting list for the early seating. We will be celebrating our 13th anniversary and I really look forward to starting our meal with the kids and then having them continue onto the kids clubs while we finish in peace . We will also be trying out a veranda for the first time. one hand I hope we really love it. But on the other hand, I hope we don't love it so much that we have to do it from here on out .

I would love to meet everyone and we are going to do our best to board as early as possible so just tell us when and where the meeting will be and we will be there!

Natalie

We will be celebrating our 17th Anniv Feb 18...we got married Feb 18, 1996.

On our first cruise I read that it is best to try to board the ship as early as possible. So we got transportation to the port that dropped us off pretty much as soon as the port opened - and then we waited forever before being able to board the ship. I have learned since then that when you make your final payment influences your earliest possible boarding time. Are there any other tips or tricks to getting on the boat earlier rather than later? And to that end I should also probably ask whether you experienced cruisers feel it is worth trying to board as early as possible?

When do you try to board, why, and how do you accomplish it?

Check-in online as early as possible for a better chance for an early check-in

 

[nchristeutah]

OK - I looked it up and I can check in as early as November 19th so I now have a reminder on my calender. I guess I have no chance of being too early, but at least I won't be as late as I was last time .

By the way, I assume that means 12:01am EST.

Next big question, what do the rest of you do for pirate night? Do you dress up? If so, what do you wear and can you post a picture? I think it would be fun to dress up but I also want to keep suitcases to a minimum. Any suggestions?

Natalie

 

[Douvres Family]

OK - I looked it up and I can check in as early as November 19th so I now have a reminder on my calender. I guess I have no chance of being too early, but at least I won't be as late as I was last time .

By the way, I assume that means 12:01am EST.

Next big question, what do the rest of you do for pirate night? Do you dress up? If so, what do you wear and can you post a picture? I think it would be fun to dress up but I also want to keep suitcases to a minimum. Any suggestions?

Natalie

YES!!! 27 DAYS!!! US TOO!!!

We dressed up last cruise...it was fun! DH dressed like Blackbeard...DS like Jack, I dressed up like a pirate girl...no one in particular.

But I think this year we are going to skip the Pirate Show and have some alone time...maybe spa time...I'm not sure if DS will be dressing up...

 

[dizneeat]

OK - I looked it up and I can check in as early as November 19th so I now have a reminder on my calender. I guess I have no chance of being too early, but at least I won't be as late as I was last time .

By the way, I assume that means 12:01am EST.

Next big question, what do the rest of you do for pirate night? Do you dress up? If so, what do you wear and can you post a picture? I think it would be fun to dress up but I also want to keep suitcases to a minimum. Any suggestions?

Natalie

I'll be able to check in online on Nov 4, so only 12 more days for us. And three of those days we'll spend in Italy! The real one, not the Epcot one.
And yes, online check-in opens at 12:01am EST!

We used to dress up for pirate night but nowadays we usually eat at either Remy or Palo on Pirate night and just go up on deck for the fireworks.

YES!!! 27 DAYS!!! US TOO!!!

We dressed up last cruise...it was fun! DH dressed like Blackbeard...DS like Jack, I dressed up like a pirate girl...no one in particular.

But I think this year we are going to skip the Pirate Show and have some alone time...maybe spa time...I'm not sure if DS will be dressing up...

Will you have dinner at Palo that night? Or are you trying Remy this time?

 

[Douvres Family]

I'll be able to check in online on Nov 4, so only 12 more days for us. And three of those days we'll spend in Italy! The real one, not the Epcot one.
And yes, online check-in opens at 12:01am EST!

We used to dress up for pirate night but nowadays we usually eat at either Remy or Palo on Pirate night and just go up on deck for the fireworks.



Will you have dinner at Palo that night? Or are you trying Remy this time?

I'm not sure...we can't decide...DH wants Palo...he loves the Italian cuisine...but here in NYC we often go to really good Italian restaurants. I'd like to try Remy...so we haven't decided yet. I don't think we'll do Brunch this time around...
...But we will meet up with you guys for drinks and laughs between meals

 

[dizneeat]

I'm not sure...we can't decide...DH wants Palo...he loves the Italian cuisine...but here in NYC we often go to really good Italian restaurants. I'd like to try Remy...so we haven't decided yet. I don't think we'll do Brunch this time around...
...But we will meet up with you guys for drinks and laughs between meals

We have just talked about this too! We are kind of through the Palo menu and had Remy twice in the summer.
So we decided on brunch at Palo (or Remy, not sure yet) and NO dinner at either of the adult restaurants. I guess we will just skip the Pirate menu and have room service instead.

Drinks and laughs sounds VERY good to me! Skyline is awesome and maybe for once we will make it to Outlook.

 

[Douvres Family]

We have just talked about this too! We are kind of through the Palo menu and had Remy twice in the summer.
So we decided on brunch at Palo (or Remy, not sure yet) and NO dinner at either of the adult restaurants. I guess we will just skip the Pirate menu and have room service instead.

Drinks and laughs sounds VERY good to me! Skyline is awesome and maybe for once we will make it to Outlook.

I can't wait!!!

And we are looking forward to meeting and making new friends!!! We hope everyone can make it to the meet and greet...

 

[dizneeat]

I can't wait!!!

And we are looking forward to meeting and making new friends!!! We hope everyone can make it to the meet and greet...

 

[renda460]

By the way, I assume that means 12:01am EST.

Have others who have taken recent cruises found on line check in actually open at midnight? Last cruise, I stayed up but it didn't open until around 2am.

 

[Douvres Family]

Have others who have taken recent cruises found on line check in actually open at midnight? Last cruise, I stayed up but it didn't open until around 2am.

Yes, I did. But I understand that if too many people log in and try to check-in at the same time, the system may freeze with overload. Hence, the reason why some may not be able to get through as quickly.

 

[renda460]

Yes, I did. But I understand that if too many people log in and try to check-in at the same time, the system may freeze with overload. Hence, the reason why some may not be able to get through as quickly.

Thanks. My last cruise was one of the very first that they gave assigned check in times so there could have been some delays due to that. I am glad to hear that things should open at midnight for this cruise.

 

[Douvres Family]

Thanks. My last cruise was one of the very first that they gave assigned check in times so there could have been some delays due to that. I am glad to hear that things should open at midnight for this cruise.

 

[dizneeat]

Have others who have taken recent cruises found on line check in actually open at midnight? Last cruise, I stayed up but it didn't open until around 2am.

To be honest, I think you are on to something.
If I remember correctly, the BOOKING WINDOW for excursions and dining opens at 12.01am and online check in at 3am EST!
I remember doing one but not the other when I last booked my excursions.

 

[Tigger1313]

To be honest, I think you are on to something.
If I remember correctly, the BOOKING WINDOW for excursions and dining opens at 12.01am and online check in at 3am EST!
I remember doing one but not the other when I last booked my excursions.

Karin is correct, online check in is a 3am est

 

[Kashabear]

My daughter and I are bringing my mom and my sister now! Just as an FYI because it has come up- we have the main dining. My sister Deborah is 42 and will be part of the FE. She was on the Fantasy for our Feb school break!! My mom- also Deborah- is not going to do the FE- she just wants to focus on spoiling my daughter! I also upgraded yesterday!! We have a 4C GTY (instead of the 8B 9010 we had.) I was having trouble adding my sister to the room as they said it was at capacity so I switched rooms.
So looking forward to it all!!
Liz

 

[Douvres Family]

My daughter and I are bringing my mom and my sister now! Just as an FYI because it has come up- we have the main dining. My sister Deborah is 42 and will be part of the FE. She was on the Fantasy for our Feb school break!! My mom- also Deborah- is not going to do the FE- she just wants to focus on spoiling my daughter! I also upgraded yesterday!! We have a 4C GTY (instead of the 8B 9010 we had.) I was having trouble adding my sister to the room as they said it was at capacity so I switched rooms.
So looking forward to it all!!
Liz

Awesome!!! How many in your party will be participating in the FE???