First Cruise ever Disney Dream

[BLTtinkerbell]

You have gotten great advice so far.

My family's first cruise was last year, 4 nights on the Dream w/a verandah. We loved it! We used the verandah a lot. We sat out there every morning, sipping coffee. Also at night, looking for stars & other ships. We found it very relaxing. Only you can decide if it's worth it. The cruise will still be wonderful without it.

We used a car service from WDW to the port & then from the port to MCO. You have lots of options.

Happy planning!

 

[tink1970]

There are lots of options, as stated above.

We usually drive but if we didn't I'd take a private transfer if I wanted to get to the ship early or DCL transport if on a more leisurely timetable.

Either way, enjoy your planning.

 

[Disneyfan3223]

We have talked about it for years (since Disney got cruises) and may go in October.
Last minute trip.

Wondering if we should pay extra $ for a Verandah. Are the pools and hot tub open all night or do they shut everything down at early hours like Do not want to pay for a Verandah if we are never in the room.

Can I bring my own wine and / or Beer?

What extras will I need $$ for. Assuming Liquear, souveniors, anything else?

What happens last day. I think ship arrives back to Port at 7:30 am. What time are we kicked off, can we sleep in? Do they serve a last meal?

Transportation. Might spend first night close to
Port Canaveral if I can get a hotel on ocean or stay at Disney. Will need to use Disney bus, rent a car or ??

Any other suggestions?

Went on my first Disney Cruise this summer and the verandah was definitely worth it. The day at sea it was nice to sit out on the verandah and just enjoy the view. We did bring our own alcohol on board but you just have to carry it everywhere with you the first day until your room is ready which is not that long after boarding. We stayed at Disney World before our cruise and we drove our own vehicle but they do have Disney transportation buses specifically to Port Canaveral.

 

[Tigger1]

Front Mid OR Back OR Back of ship. Reserving today. What do we pick?

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Front Mid OR Back OR Back of ship. Reserving today. What do we pick?

I like mid ship, decks 7-9.
Have a great cruise!

 

[Tigger1]

Should we do 2 joining rooms with smaller porthole or famly size room separated by three rooms but big porthole. How do we know if we get big porthole or 2 small?

 

[BobDes]

This past May was our 3rd cruise and we had a verandah all 3. Folks that sailed with us had a porthole and it was HUGE (5ft) with a nice window seat.
We bought wine on board, no problem at all. I called room service and asked for wine glasses and a cork screw and it was left in our room by the time we returned from the safety drill.

 

[LSUfan4444]

There are only two times a day I enjoy a verandah..the morning for my morning coffee and when my wife/daughter are getting ready for dinner. Outside of that, it isn't worth it to us and ever since my daughter had a nightmare about falling off the ship via our verandah we don't even consider getting one anymore and haven't really missed it.

 

[workin to cruise]

I've been told it's a bad idea to go verandah on your first cruise, because then you will have to go verandah on all subsequent cruises!

Yup. I can attest to this.... sucked me right in. I was going to interior on my current booking actually but 5 of us this time and had to do a deluxe family room. Either they only had veranda rooms left or maybe that's all the family rooms come in. Too bad! I guess I'll just have to take the veranda room. Haha

 

[N365PA]

15 cruises and every type of room from inside to concierge. An inside room on the Wonder beats the view from my work (ATC at control tower) at the airport anyday! Anytime on a Disney ship beats sitting here at work or at home!

 

[Anna Chassereau]

Congrats! We love The Dream. I agree with PP I wouldn't spend money on a verendah I would opt for the 4 night rather than the 3. You can bring wine and beer but there are limits per person I can't recall extact amount it's on DCL website I don't drink myself. You have to place it on carry on I believe. Make sure you book your Port Arrive time and get as early as possible it's nice being such a short cruise having lunch at Cabanas on the first day.

There are good characters on board if you would like to meet those book on day you get on the ship or conceirge can book before.

The cinema is great it's nice when there is a movie launch they show it at midnight!

We book through a TA to get more on board credit.

If you enjoy it think about booking a future cruise on the cruise you get 10% off and 24 months to book as well as OBC.

Sorry to hijack this post but you have to book meeting the characters? I didn't realize this...we're sailing on the Dream in August. We have a 4 year old son so no princesses if that matters at all

 

[TestingH2O]

Sorry to hijack this post but you have to book meeting the characters? I didn't realize this...we're sailing on the Dream in August. We have a 4 year old son so no princesses if that matters at all

There are a few meets that require tickets. On the Dream, those would be princesses and Frozen princesses. The others are open to all. Just watch your navigator for times and locations.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

We have a 4 night Dream cruise booked with a verandah. It's aft with an oversized verandah. The views are spectacular. Just two adults cruising but for a little more money we feel it's totally worth it.

 

[Tigger1]

We have a Halloween Cruise! Just found that out. Do we dress up? Do we Trick or Treat or hand out candy?
Should we get the photo option? Can both state rooms use one photo pass like at Disney?

We went for the Ocean View stateroom with rooms that join.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[mkymouse40]

I'm getting nervous. I'm booking my first cruise and have had so many problems deciding on deck level, front - middle-or back of the ship, Verandah or Inside or Oceanview. EEEEEEEEEEEK! We're hoping to go in September so time is running out. For first time cruisers....do you feel more boat motion in the front, middle or back? ....do you feel more motion on lower or upper decks? I really don't know what to do! I was looking at a room on deck 5 towards the front of the ship. Any thoughts on this??? Help, please! thank you.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I'm getting nervous. I'm booking my first cruise and have had so many problems deciding on deck level, front - middle-or back of the ship, Verandah or Inside or Oceanview. EEEEEEEEEEEK! We're hoping to go in September so time is running out. For first time cruisers....do you feel more boat motion in the front, middle or back? ....do you feel more motion on lower or upper decks? I really don't know what to do! I was looking at a room on deck 5 towards the front of the ship. Any thoughts on this??? Help, please! thank you.

I have motion sickness and take medicine for it every day we cruise and one day prior to the cruise as well. Generally speaking mid ship, lower level has the least motion but if the ship sails in unstable waters it doesn't matter where your room location is your going to feel some movement. Just take the meds and you'll be fine. We love aft!

 

[tltay2005]

Should we do 2 joining rooms with smaller porthole or famly size room separated by three rooms but big porthole. How do we know if we get big porthole or 2 small?

Dream does not have rooms with two small portholes. Deck two has a large porthole, decks 5-9 have the very large porthole. There are rooms that have the very large porthole that sleep 5.

 

[tltay2005]

Should we do 2 joining rooms with smaller porthole or famly size room separated by three rooms but big porthole. How do we know if we get big porthole or 2 small?

Deck 2 is the smaller port hole.


Decks 5-9 have the larger port hole and can sleep up to five(Murphy bed)

 

[LoverDisney]

Dream does not have rooms with two small portholes. Deck two has a large porthole, decks 5-9 have the very large porthole. There are rooms that have the very large porthole that sleep 5.

We are going to our first cruise on the Dream in August. We have a Family Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom that has two large portholes. It is forward on Deck 6. Next time I might try the verandah on a longer cruise.

 

[tltay2005]

We are going to our first cruise on the Dream in August. We have a Family Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom that has two large portholes. It is forward on Deck 6. Next time I might try the verandah on a longer cruise.

Yes, the Dream has rooms with the two very large portholes, but not the two small portholes. Those are nice rooms, almost a mini suite. We have one booked for next year.