DREAMS really do come true! 1/30 4-day Cruise Report with Tons of Photos! Video done!

[jenseib]

BEAUTIFUL pictures!
I love your story....and to help make you feel better, she looks horrid from behind!

I have a questionfor you about bring your SLR on the island. Would you do that if you were going to be playing with your family? I'm trying to decide if I want to bring ours on the island, or just leave it in the room and bring my P&S only? For one I don't want to get sand in it. But also, I am worried about when I am in the water if it will be safe at our chair...even though I will have it in the camera bag and probably covered.
I do want to get some good shots though too.
Also, where are the life jackets at on CC. My DD might want to use one, and if she tries the slides, she is 47 and 3/4 inches right now. (we hope she grows just a tad more so she can ride the Aquaduck)

 

[cntkg1]

Is it wrong that my favorite part is the pick of the lady with the black cover up walking away ........ Great story! I would have ran in front of her - but I'm immature like that....

Well, I must be too PD, because I thought that was hilarious!!

 

[Timon]

ok - so i don't understand something.

you can be 38" to ride the fast slides at CC but you have to be 48" to ride the much slower slide on the ship???

am i missing something about the slide on the ship? why do you have to be 10 inches taller to ride it?

I dunno But yeah, I think maybe it has to do with the lifejacket issue.

Aw Sha, that's sweet!

One thing though, Cajun is spelled with a C, not a K......oh....wait...you were probably talking about Kira, huh?.....Nevermind

Seriously, Cass, your pictures of Castaway Cay are fantastic, thanks for sharing!

Loved your report...started reading at about 6p.m. and read until now!! Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to hear more!!

Oh wow, you are dedicated!!

Is it wrong that my favorite part is the pick of the lady with the black cover up walking away ........ Great story! I would have ran in front of her - but I'm immature like that.... :

LOL, wish you were with me then!!

Another fab installment Cass

Tell me theres still more!????

You're not getting rid of me that easy hun!! Still a few more chapters to go

BEAUTIFUL pictures!
I love your story....and to help make you feel better, she looks horrid from behind!

I have a questionfor you about bring your SLR on the island. Would you do that if you were going to be playing with your family? I'm trying to decide if I want to bring ours on the island, or just leave it in the room and bring my P&S only? For one I don't want to get sand in it. But also, I am worried about when I am in the water if it will be safe at our chair...even though I will have it in the camera bag and probably covered.
I do want to get some good shots though too.
Also, where are the life jackets at on CC. My DD might want to use one, and if she tries the slides, she is 47 and 3/4 inches right now. (we hope she grows just a tad more so she can ride the Aquaduck)

I normally only bring my P&S with me on CC but I didn't even bring it with me on this trip so I had no choice. The only time I didn't have it was when I was doing Pelican Plunge and Michelle watched it for me. I don't think I would bring it if I was spending the whole day at the beach because of the whole sand and water issue. I wouldn't have a huge problem leaving it covered, in a bag, on or under my chair as long as it was still in my sight.

Sorry, I didn't even see where the lifejackets were on CC

Well, I must be too PD, because I thought that was hilarious!!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

The private cabanas look awesome! I can't imagine spending an extra $500, though. Well, wait... is there a rule that you can only share it with the people from your stateroom? If you combined a couple of families for a total of say 6 people, that would only be an extra $83 each, not SO bad...

I love that I am already trying to rationalize this.

This might be a dumb question, but back in the dark ages when I was last at Castaway Cay, you could rent blue floaty mats to lay around on in the water, but I don't see any in your pics. Have those been totally replaced by the clear tubes? That would make me sad!

Thanks for all the time you're putting into sharing the ship with us!

 

[ESN]

I am a bit disoriented as to the new layout at CC

Where is the Pelican Plunge relative to the older in water jungle gym style stucture ? Is it closer to the ship - or out past where Heads up Bar is?

I am a bit disoriented -- can you help?

Amazing photos and TR btw - Thanks

 

[Timon]

This might be a dumb question, but back in the dark ages when I was last at Castaway Cay, you could rent blue floaty mats to lay around on in the water, but I don't see any in your pics. Have those been totally replaced by the clear tubes? That would make me sad!

Thanks for all the time you're putting into sharing the ship with us!

Hmmm, I didn't see any of those blue mats but I hardly spent any time on the beaches at all so I am not the one to ask

I am a bit disoriented as to the new layout at CC

Where is the Pelican Plunge relative to the older in water jungle gym style stucture ? Is it closer to the ship - or out past where Heads up Bar is?

I am a bit disoriented -- can you help?

Amazing photos and TR btw - Thanks

Sure, I can help!

I felt a little disoriented myself actually, which is easy to do since there is a whole new beach area now!! Also, it really messed me up because the tram let us off at the new Pelican Plunge tram stop and not the Scuttle's Cove Stop which I am used to! Took me a bit to figure it all out

The Pelican Plunge is located on the new beach which is past the Family Beach, as you would know it....past Heads Up Bar.

Here is a map they left in our room....

I believe the new beach is located where the old teen beach was and the big climbing structure is still at that first (family) beach

 

[ESN]

awesome - Thanks!

Now I get it -- did not realize they had added that area

Map helps a lot - and thank you so much for the prompt response!

 

[Timon]

Outlook

There is a very hidden space on deck 14 called Outlook...I heard it is where they will be holding weddings so I took some photos for you all It is a very beautiful space and very secluded!

The coolest thing was the view! You have great views of the the QC area...you can see in the pics the entrance to the forward elevator area (concierge access on deck 12) as well as the great smoking area on deck 13

 

[disnerdiest]

Hi Cass, what kind of camera did you use to take these pictures?

I've been following this trip report for like 2 weeks now, my family all huddle around the computer whenever you post new pics. Thanks so much for this awesome report!

 

[Timon]

Buccaneer Blast AKA Pirate Party

I love the Pirate Party on the Magic but I must say that I was a little disappointed in the Dream version.

They had a short little party for the younger ones at 8pm but we were still at Palo so we missed that. We got to deck 12 about 30 minutes before the party started and it was PACKED!!!!!!!!!!!! Like, barely can move around packed!!

I grabbed a spot on the stairs up under the Aquaduck stairs which had a great view of the party but sucked a little for the fireworks.

Mostly, the party consisted of Captain Jack running around avoiding capture and then the fireworks started. The fireworks were awesome and then the talking skull came on the big screen and Club Pirate started, which ended up being just some music being played.

Maybe my expectations were too high, being a new ship with great new technology...I thought they would do something really cool.

I taped most of it so I was only able to take a few pics...

 

[Pooh's Pal]

Stateroom Review

The phones kind of sucked....the wave phones weren't fully charged and when I did use the other one, it didn't always work great. We threw them in the drawer until the last night when I charged them both for the next guests. The room phone was retarded. Nothing is marked on the phone...there is a card next to it with some handy numbers but not all of them. Once there was a message on the phone so I tried retrieving it but it wouldn't play...it just kept saying "Press 3 to get your messages" over and over. Never did get that message

The verandah was nice to have but the new dividers made it easy for peeping toms (or peeping Debs ) to check out things on YOUR side of the divider. Luckily we had great neighbours (more on that later) and ended up having a lot of laughs over the lack of privacy later on.

Hope you're enjoying it so far

Wave Phones? I thought that was the TV remote!!

 

[Timon]

awesome - Thanks!

Now I get it -- did not realize they had added that area

Map helps a lot - and thank you so much for the prompt response!

Yes, maps are awesome

Hi Cass, what kind of camera did you use to take these pictures?

I've been following this trip report for like 2 weeks now, my family all huddle around the computer whenever you post new pics. Thanks so much for this awesome report!

I used a Canon Rebel XT It's a little on the old side now, considering Canon has 3 newer versions now but it is still a great camera

Awww, how cute...a family huddle

Wave Phones? I thought that was the TV remote!!

I still laugh about that, you know Michelle asked me if I was going to post about that but I told her that it was your story to tell

But thanks for the laugh...OMG, I hadn't laughed so hard in soooo long!!!

 

[Pooh's Pal]

I still laugh about that, you know Michelle asked me if I was going to post about that but I told her that it was your story to tell

But thanks for the laugh...OMG, I hadn't laughed so hard in soooo long!!!

If I ever go on another AEP, will you come with???

Oh, but of course!!

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Where would you recommend as a great spot for the pirate party and fireworks, and how early would you think we should stake out our spot? We have the 9pm show so it might be tight! Did you post your video of the pirate party anywhere? Thanks for all of the fantastic info. I made my cruise final payment today and I can hardly wait. One part of me wants to see every picture you post and hear every tiny detail, but another part of me wants a few surprises!

 

[Timon]

Oh, but of course!!

Where would you recommend as a great spot for the pirate party and fireworks, and how early would you think we should stake out our spot? We have the 9pm show so it might be tight! Did you post your video of the pirate party anywhere? Thanks for all of the fantastic info. I made my cruise final payment today and I can hardly wait. One part of me wants to see every picture you post and hear every tiny detail, but another part of me wants a few surprises!

I have not even begun to work on my video...that will be after I am all done the trippie

I would recommend getting there are early as you can. A good spot would be on deck 12, starboard side, anywhere near the stage or little aft of it

 

[DizDragonfly]

This might be a dumb question, but back in the dark ages when I was last at Castaway Cay, you could rent blue floaty mats to lay around on in the water, but I don't see any in your pics.

Is this what you are remembering?

This was from a set of pics taken recently by budwmn of the cabanas area.

 

[Karen Mouse]

Come on Cass.... stop pretending you have a life and get typing girl!

 

[Zandy595]

Is Outlook an adults only area?

 

[4 mickey]

Hi Cass
Yeahhhh I have your fabulous and so complete and detailed TR to read since I'm also back from my DCL dream vacation needless to say I'm in major DCL withdrawal as I lovedddd that beautiful ship .
But I'll read ( I just started ) your report and kind of be in the magic that is a DCL dream cruise .

 

[WAHkoMom]

Timon/Cass,
It took me several nights to read through your TR, but I just finished and wanted to say "THANKS" for all the time you are devoting to this - both during your cruise and now that you are home.

DH and I are sailing on the 5/8/11 4-night Dream cruise and yours is the thread I am enjoying the most! The pictures are great! This is getting me so excited

Switching gears, don't you wish there was some sort of screening DCL could do to prevent rude, "no one is as important as I am" people from sailing with the rest of us who just want to relax and escape the pressures of "real life"??? I have more than enough drama when I'm home, thank you very much. Okay, end of rant. I feel better now.