First Timer on Dream - what port adventures would you recommend?

[Docmum]

Hi all,

I would appreciate your help on deciding which port adventures to book and what other special things to do to make it a blast for our kids.

We are a family of four, me, DH, DD9 and DS5 - first cruise for the kids, second for us ( although our first and only cruise was around 20 years ago, so nearly prehistoric... lol )

We are leaving PC on Nov 25th for a 3-night-cruise and are now stuck in deciding what to book, if at all. Could or should we just walk through Nassau on our own? And what would you suggest for Castaway Cay?
Any specific ideas?

Could you recommend special onboard activities we should not miss? I just realized that there is a Frozen M&G, but it is already sold out, which was a bummer, since I am sure, my daughter would have loved it!
Any help is really appreciated as we want to make the Cruise a super-surprise for our wonderful kiddos

Thanks a lot !

 

[party-of-five]

We've been on the 4-night dream twice and haven't done a single excursion. We haven't even gotten off the ship at Nassau. There's just so much to do on the ship! While in Nassau, we enjoyed a less busy pool/aquaduck. We also enjoyed activities on the ship. At Castaway Cay, we enjoyed the island. Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Quellman]

Pirate museum or straw market if you want to get off the boat in Nassau. You don't need to reserve anything in advance on Castaway. You can do parasailing or stingray encounter. But personally, they won't know those e xist if you don't tell them. Plenty of beach stuff, or rent the bikes. Have a great time, it goes fast!

 

[dcassetta]

For a walking tour in Nassau the Pirate Museum and Queen's Staircase are interesting. If you are looking for a beach day in Nassau - a day pass at the Colonial Hilton (walkable from the port) or the Melia (cab ride) are nice. There is a water park at Atlantis and you can do dolphin encounters there and at Blue Lagoon. Blue Lagoon is also a nice beach day. For something a little different the Greycliff chocolate tour is fun and you get to make your own chocolates.

 

[bumbershoot]

Chocolate factory tour in Nassau.

 

[Docmum]

Thank you for your ideas ! Pirate museum and chocolate factory sound great, plus a couple of hours at the beach -> seems to be something for each of us!

Thanks a lot!

 

[rhinodadz]

Check at Guest Services when you board about the Frozen M&G. While it may be listed as sold out on the web site they typically have slots for booking on board. Same for adult dining.

 

[Docmum]

Oh, that would be awesome ! I will definetely give it a try! Thanks for that great hint!

 

[Capt_BJ]

slight variation to your Nassau plan .... unless a big change recently, when you exit the terminal area there will be guys with horse drawn carriages. When my kids were young I took them on DCL 3 times as a solo parent and they always enjoyed the buggy ride. Negotiate a price for a city tour and ask to be dropped off at the Pirate Mus' at the end of the tour (begin by offering 1/2 of the price first offered! Ask how long the tour will be ... you should get 30 MAYBE 45 minutes ...) Then visit the PM and walk back towards the ship (10 minutes with no stops). The straw market is "fun" but mostly junk - and crowded, meaning tight with narrow aisles and loud bargaining - so don't plan to spend much time there. Other than a cheap t-shirt there is NOTHING you want there IMO. (p.s. travelling solo I also got DD's hair, shoulder length, done as a whole head braid job twice ... I know the ins and outs of this one .... done right it takes a couple of hours ....)

For a first visit to Castaway you need nothing that costs more ('cept a libation perhaps) ... enjoy a nice clean beach. If you want to rent snorkel gear, a float or a bike you do NOT need advanced reservations for these, there are PLENTY. Hint .... towards the end of the day about 1/2 of the rented floaties and rafts are just drifting about as people went back to the ship and did not return them .... hint hint hint.

 

[Docmum]

Wow, yes, the carriage, THAT we should do ! Excellent idea! I know they both will love it. We once had a horse drawn carriage through Central Park in NYC and my DD absolutely loved it ! ( The price nearly let me faint and I felt bad regarding the horse but have to admit I nevertheless did it for the sparkling eyes of my then 4yr old DD...). My DS will be all about the pirates, so yes, that is a perfect idea!

Thanks a lot for that, Capt BJ!

 

[Capt_BJ]

So happy to provide a helpful suggestion.

Comment: the Pirate Mus' is just that ... a MUSEUM .... this is not Pirates of the Caribbean ...... there is a little of that at the beginning but most is dioramas and pictures and 'reading' ...... my kids enjoyed and asked to go back but just want to "manage expectations"