First Cruise Advice

[WDWRook]

Great, thanks for the comments.

Our plan is the Jan 28, 2019 4 day Bahamas cruise on the Dream. Our kids will be 8 and 12 at the time. I was talking with a TA and she has not been terribly helpful in given guidance on the details, so I might book myself and look at how to transfer to Costco (although we are Samsclub members).

It looks like 6 is right above the kids club. I imagine that might also be louder? I assume every room is basically identical within the same category? We are definitely doing the Family Veranda room and midship. I want whichever floor is likely to be the calmest / quietest.

Is all room services included (besides adult drinks)?

I read on the FAQ thread that we don't need passports; is that right? Is it still recommended to get passports?

We will definitely arrive the day before launch. We usually arrive to the airport by Noon. I'd like to go for a tour of the Space Center. Think that will be doable?

We might go to SSR or OKW for a night or two after the trip to let my wife decompress before we jump on the plane home. No WDW visits, just relax and Disney Springs.

 

[Sytrace]

Great, thanks for the comments.

Our plan is the Jan 28, 2019 4 day Bahamas cruise on the Dream. Our kids will be 8 and 12 at the time. I was talking with a TA and she has not been terribly helpful in given guidance on the details, so I might book myself and look at how to transfer to Costco (although we are Samsclub members).

It looks like 6 is right above the kids club. I imagine that might also be louder? I assume every room is basically identical within the same category? We are definitely doing the Family Veranda room and midship. I want whichever floor is likely to be the calmest / quietest.

Is all room services included (besides adult drinks)?

I read on the FAQ thread that we don't need passports; is that right? Is it still recommended to get passports?

We will definitely arrive the day before launch. We usually arrive to the airport by Noon. I'd like to go for a tour of the Space Center. Think that will be doable?

We might go to SSR or OKW for a night or two after the trip to let my wife decompress before we jump on the plane home. No WDW visits, just relax and Disney Springs.

What kind of details are you looking for...it is pretty far in advance to give specific information. You can book yourself and then transfer to Costco within 30 days of making the reservation. You might want to check and see what Costco will give you in regards to booking with them if you are not a member and compare it with what a TA might offer by way of gifts and OBC (if they do that or not) Most TA's base on board credit on base price of the cruise.

6 midship starboard side is not near kids clubs at all...kids clubs are on the port side.

There are certain items that are priced in room service...canned soda, candy, adult beverages, bottled water..the kinds of things you would have to pay for if you got them in the shops or in the lounges/bars

You don't need them for a closed loop cruise leaving and arriving to the same port. However, if you are flying and/or there was an emergency, you would want to have them.

You could do a quick visit to KSC before you leave...that would give you about 4 hours of touring time though based on a noon arrival to MCO. It is an hour drive from the airport to Port Canaveral. Maybe try arriving earlier in the day to give more time to touring the Space Center. Or do it on your return day before heading over to the Disney Springs area.

OKW and SSR are very nice and close to Disney Springs for shopping, dining, and entertainment. I would definitely look there as those rates are not bad. Keep in mind that there are busy times during that season and hotel availability might be limited.

 

[mkh531]

Last year we chose a 4 night Dream Cruise and chose deck 6 midship because my DH and 2 kids get motion sickness and we were worried about a 7 nighter. I grew up sailing w my dad on his very small boats and I always go on on roller coasters, spinning rides etc. because I never get motion sickness.


And yet, I was the only one in our family to get any motion sickness on our cruise. It was on the first night, passing over the choppy water other posters mentioned.

I immediately put on seabands, and the rest of the trip was fine. DH has a Scoplaimne patch in case he felt sick but he never needed to bc he felt sick AT ALL and neither did the kids! Moral of the story...prepare for motion sickness...everyone! But recognize that it will likely be minimal or nonexistent.

 

[Sytrace]

Last year we chose a 4 night Dream Cruise and chose deck 6 midship because my DH and 2 kids get motion sickness and we were worried about a 7 nighter. I grew up sailing w my dad on his very small boats and I always go on on roller coasters, spinning rides etc. because I never get motion sickness.


And yet, I was the only one in our family to get any motion sickness on our cruise. It was on the first night, passing over the choppy water other posters mentioned.

I immediately put on seabands, and the rest of the trip was fine. DH has a Scoplaimne patch in case he felt sick but he never needed to bc he felt sick AT ALL and neither did the kids! Moral of the story...prepare for motion sickness...everyone! But recognize that it will likely be minimal or nonexistent.

First night...especially at second seating in Animator Palate is rocky as you cross the FL Straits. Not only are they putting the hammer down and moving, fast, but the water is a bit bumpy. Usually all better by 10 to 10:15. lol Or at least that has been our experience on our Dream cruises.

 

[WDWRook]

Just booked Jan 28th - 4 nights on Dream. Cabin 7606. Paid via Chase points. Now, to figure out the details.

EDIT: booked the second dinning seating. Hope that is okay. We usually eat around 7:00, but others recommend the later seat and said do the shows first, then dinner, then kids can relax and go to bed.

 

[Sunshine2U]

Just booked Jan 28th - 4 nights on Dream. Cabin 7606. Paid via Chase points. Now, to figure out the details.

Congratulations - y'all will have a blast. Even though it's a bit late I'll add a couple of reasons for our preference on a veranda cabin:
- When you wake early but the children are sleeping in. We prefer hot breakfast over the current room service offerings. So DH or I will go up to Cabanas and bring breakfast back to the room. We will have stashed juice, milk and fruit in the refrigerator the day before. It's nice to breakfast on the balcony and watch while you are coming into port.
- When everyone is getting ready for dinner, pool, whatever. With 4 people in the cabin you will be happy to have a place to sit and be out of the way - with a gorgeous view.
- When the kids are asleep and you're ready for your quiet time - this is where a carry-on bottle of wine comes in handy.
- When you want to read a book without the crowd noise at the pools.

 

[WDWRook]

Where do you get wine for carry on? Local shop before boarding the ship? Castaway Cay?

I’m super excited. The wife is nervous about motion sickness but I think she will be ok. I need to decide if we will do any excursions. I’d really really like to go diving. It’s been 15 years but I loved it. My son is too young at 12 but maybe snorkeling will suffice.

Is there a sign up for shows, or do you just go.

 

[Dug720]

Where do you get wine for carry on? Local shop before boarding the ship? Castaway Cay?

I’m super excited. The wife is nervous about motion sickness but I think she will be ok. I need to decide if we will do any excursions. I’d really really like to go diving. It’s been 15 years but I loved it. My son is too young at 12 but maybe snorkeling will suffice.

Is there a sign up for shows, or do you just go.

Wine... Either pack it in checked bags for flight and change to carry-on for boarding. Or get it in town before you head to the ship. No non-DCL or local crafts shops on Castaway so no wine there.

Shows you just go - if you have late dining you go to early show; if early dining you go to the second show.

 

[martikus]

Enjoy! I think the 4 day sounds like a great way to see how you like cruising. My mom has severe motion sickness on small boats and no issues on cruises as long as she wears sea bands. Puts them on before even getting on boat and never ever takes them off. The big boats are actually usually better for motion sickness as less movement so Dream is good choice.

We always make sure the room we choose has rooms above and below it. That way we aren’t over a bar or anything.

On a short cruise it can be just as fun to stay on the boat and enjoy it with less people so don’t feel like you need to book a long excursion.

We prefer early dinner seating when cruising with our son as 8:30 is just too late for him. But I Love late seating when just with DH as it doesn’t feel as rushed.

No reservations for shows. Recommend showing up at least 20 min early to get good seats.

You guys will have a blast. Make sure to do the interactive scavenger hunt around the ship - detective agency. It’s free and super fun.

 

[Sunshine2U]

You can bring aboard one wine bottle or one 6-pack beer per adult, per port.

You can book excursions through Disney (see website) or 3rd party - these would be for Nassau for your trip but this applies to most ports of call for other cruises. Excursions booked through the ship have guarantees that if something happens to delay returning to the dock, the ship will wait. Booking through a 3rd party does not have that. Finding the right snorkeling option will be easy. I'm not a diver so not sure about those options.

We live in SC so being able to get to a beach is not a big deal for us. That means we are happy with Castaway Cay and don't need to book at water excursion at Nassau. We may get off the ship for an hour to walk around but that's it. When you are on a 4-day Dream Cruise:
- Monday - on the ship by 1, lunch and pool deck for 1-2 hours, cabin to check it out and start unpacking, muster drill around 4, back to cabin to get ready for show/dinner which last until around 9 or 10.
- Nassau - at this point you really haven't experienced the ship, do you want to get off for the entire day?
- Castaway Cay - a great day on the beach includes lunch on the beach, snorkeling, etc.
- Sea Day - if you were off the ship the entire day in Nassau this is the only day to totally relax in the ship other than what you "fit in" to the other days.
- Last day - out of your cabin by 7:30 am so this day does not count at all!
That's kind of exaggerated because of course you are checking out the ship the entire time. We just find we have more fun on the ship so thought I would mention that.

Motion sickness: Ditto to what everyone else said - if there is motion it is usually first night until 10. On last couple of cruises we have not even noticed that. And the motion is different from typical car sickness. Going towards the back of the ship and to lower decks should minimize roll in case of super bad weather. But the stabilizers really, really make for a good ride.

For shows, just show up. All seats are good but you will find some people queuing up at the doors for near-front seats. I think being at the early show will make it better for you.

Also, while it's ok to travel on a driver's license and birth certificate, most people recommend a passport. It's not such a big deal for the Bahamas. It's kind of like deciding whether to book excursions through 3rd parties, which we do all the time for other ports. It's how much risk you want to take. The reason for the passport are missing the ship, medical emergency, um... being escorted off the ship for atrocious behavior (thought I would throw that one in for fun). So if you go to the effort to get a passport, please do take it with you when you go ashore in Nassau. Otherwise it would be like leaving a life vest in your car when you go boating. A passport is good for 10 years (adults) so it's worth the time to get one.

 

[Dug720]

You can bring aboard one wine bottle or one 6-pack beer per adult, per port.

You can book excursions through Disney (see website) or 3rd party - these would be for Nassau for your trip but this applies to most ports of call for other cruises. Excursions booked through the ship have guarantees that if something happens to delay returning to the dock, the ship will wait. Booking through a 3rd party does not have that. Finding the right snorkeling option will be easy. I'm not a diver so not sure about those options.

We live in SC so being able to get to a beach is not a big deal for us. That means we are happy with Castaway Cay and don't need to book at water excursion at Nassau. We may get off the ship for an hour to walk around but that's it. When you are on a 4-day Dream Cruise:
- Monday - on the ship by 1, lunch and pool deck for 1-2 hours, cabin to check it out and start unpacking, muster drill around 4, back to cabin to get ready for show/dinner which last until around 9 or 10.
- Nassau - at this point you really haven't experienced the ship, do you want to get off for the entire day?
- Castaway Cay - a great day on the beach includes lunch on the beach, snorkeling, etc.
- Sea Day - if you were off the ship the entire day in Nassau this is the only day to totally relax in the ship other than what you "fit in" to the other days.
- Last day - out of your cabin by 7:30 am so this day does not count at all!
That's kind of exaggerated because of course you are checking out the ship the entire time. We just find we have more fun on the ship so thought I would mention that.

Motion sickness: Ditto to what everyone else said - if there is motion it is usually first night until 10. On last couple of cruises we have not even noticed that. And the motion is different from typical car sickness. Going towards the back of the ship and to lower decks should minimize roll in case of super bad weather. But the stabilizers really, really make for a good ride.

For shows, just show up. All seats are good but you will find some people queuing up at the doors for near-front seats. I think being at the early show will make it better for you.

Also, while it's ok to travel on a driver's license and birth certificate, most people recommend a passport. It's not such a big deal for the Bahamas. It's kind of like deciding whether to book excursions through 3rd parties, which we do all the time for other ports. It's how much risk you want to take. The reason for the passport are missing the ship, medical emergency, um... being escorted off the ship for atrocious behavior (thought I would throw that one in for fun). So if you go to the effort to get a passport, please do take it with you when you go ashore in Nassau. Otherwise it would be like leaving a life vest in your car when you go boating. A passport is good for 10 years (adults) so it's worth the time to get one.

I thought it was 2 bottles of wine. When did it change to 1?

 

[WDWRook]

Thanks for the tips. We booked via Chase Travel, and they really are not traditional travel agents with a lot of inside info (nor do they offer any onboard credits --boo). I'll be trolling the board and asking plenty of questions to prepare.

Is Nassau safe?

 

[TestingH2O]

I thought it was 2 bottles of wine. When did it change to 1?

I don't think it did. Probably just a typo. At least I hope so.

 

[CalifornianOrangeBird]

I thought it was 2 bottles of wine. When did it change to 1?

It’s 2 bottles of wine or 1 six-pack of beer. Probably a typo.

 

[DIS_MIKE]

Is it 2 bottles of wine or 1 six-pack PER stateroom or per guest?

 

[CalifornianOrangeBird]

Is it 2 bottles of wine or 1 six-pack PER stateroom or per guest?

Per guest!

 

[Sunshine2U]

I don't think it did. Probably just a typo. At least I hope so.

Just checking to see who is on their toes or in their cups. Sorry for the typo!