Fresh off the Dream 1/30-2/3/11

[TJGorman]

Thank you for all the kind comments.

Now the "District". The District consists of the District Lounge, Pink, 687 (sports lounge), Evolution (which is the largest) and Skyline with the ever changing cityscapes. Skyline was very cool, as was 687. They were quiet easy to talk with new found friends except when a certain few of my TA friends raised a ruckus in Skyline.. BTW, 687 is actually the number of the ship as they built it in Germany.

Ruckus, there was no ruckus! Just some friendly girls having some fun!

 

[Coach Rick]

Ruckus, there was no ruckus! Just some friendly girls having some fun!

What ever you want to call it....IT WAS A RIOT...and I had a great time on that last night...Sorry I didn't get to see you guys in the AM...I had one issue...seems as though my bank had a melt down due to the 2 snow storms I missed, and when they went to run my cc it was DENIED.... Called the bank and got a "We're sorry but due to inclement weather all servers are offline...Estimated outage....BEEEEEP" Ok, so luckily I had cash with me as I didn't really want to wait to see how long "BEEEEEP" was. Anyhow had to get off...really really enjoyed you guys and hope we can do it again one day!

 

[TJGorman]

What ever you want to call it....IT WAS A RIOT...and I had a great time on that last night...Sorry I didn't get to see you guys in the AM...I had one issue...seems as though my bank had a melt down due to the 2 snow storms I missed, and when they went to run my cc it was DENIED.... Called the bank and got a "We're sorry but due to inclement weather all servers are offline...Estimated outage....BEEEEEP" Ok, so luckily I had cash with me as I didn't really want to wait to see how long "BEEEEEP" was. Anyhow had to get off...really really enjoyed you guys and hope we can do it again one day!

OH Boy!

I got to stay another night!!!! SWA oversold the flight and asked for volunteers to stay...Went to MK for the fireworks show..

You will have to join us if we do a "reunion" cruise, let the ruckus ensue!!

 

[Fatalbie]

Thanks for all the info and the photos. I'm loving the report. We are going to be first time cruisers and I have no clue about the activites and schedule and how that stuff flows. I was worried about early show late dinner. Your comments are reassuring.

Jim

 

[Coach Rick]

Day 3, Castaway Cay...

Woke up nice and early. I love to watch the docking process. One thing that was apparent, besides the new ships, there was tons of work that went into "infrastructure". Docking facilities are obviously new both in Nassau and here on Castaway Cay. there is a catwalk and new piers that are obvious in both both places and it's because of the much larger "tub of magic" known as the Dream! I was so curious how they get the huge ropes out to the docks to tie the ship up since it appeared to be a good 10-15 yards out. I mean, there was no way you could throw that rope that far...sure enough, they have some sort of gun or cannon that fires the lines off the ship and over the catwalk, and the CM's grab a leader rope and pull the "big" rope up. Looks like a heck of a work out!

So it was up to breakfast at Cabana's. Nice buffet! Sat enjoyed with great anticipation for the upcoming "special island treat"! Roomie and I were off the ship by about 10ish, and got the obligatory pictures with the ship behind us, then off to the tram stop and more pictures of our favorite subject...The Dream.

Tram came along and whisked us off to Pelican Point by passing the Scuttles Cove stop, and our facilitators had arranged to have a Cabana for us to inspect. There is a gate, although it is not staffed to keep out the "rif-raf" I will also mention that you are given a wristband to identify you as a Cabana guest. So we headed down the path by these nifty little shacks colorfully decorated with the names of the families that plunked down that $499 for the day to have their own piece of private bliss. It's cool, and the pics I will post will hopefully show that. Now, I will point out that for $499 you and 5 of your closest friends or guests will have a stocked fridge with soda, and water, a nice basket of fresh fruit and some chilled face towels in the fridge, a 1 hour bike rental and at a push of a button you can have an attendant bring you out more soda and water. If you want to bring up to 4 more guests you can do so for an additional $50 per person for the day. It's cool, but many thought it was too pricey, but IMO, if you put it in perspective with the thousands you spend on your cruise, it's a drop in the bucket. I equate it with the couples spa my DW and I had on our first cruise, once in a life time, or that expense that I had last cruise with a Cat3...I think we work hard and deserve to play hard once in a while, so I may just take them up on that little extravagance on my August cruise. This all said, I was a bit disappointed by the stretch of beach it's on. There are virtually no waves, and you really have to go some to get some decent water to swim in. Perhaps it was just because the tide was down. I should point out that the only reason we got to visit this one cabana was it was not rented this day, which means the rest all were and there are a couple on Serenity Bay that was rented. You can not have food delivered as of right now. But Cookies Too is not too far to walk..or ride your bike.

Ok, now the Cabana visit is done, so my favorite thing to do is to find a shady place in Serenity Bay stretch out and NAP like a puppy on a hot day in the shade. Something about the gentle sound of the water lapping at the fish poop puts me to sleep faster than any anesthesiologist ever has. Ok, woke up and have to admit I did have a tummy ache...I think I overate at breakfast Outside of some fruit I didn't have anything to eat on the island, but after walking back to the ship my tummy was better and I WAS STARVING! Up to Flo's for a couple pieces of pizza a plate of watermelon, some pineapple and some of those chicken Caesar wraps..yep I made up for not eating all afternoon in short order!

Tonight was the comedian and I just chose to sit out that show and enjoy deck 11 and some drinks that deserved little umbrellas...Did I mention that neat pool bar in the adult area of deck 11? It is SOOoooooooo cool...yep, got my drink sat on the benches in the water. I just so loved that. I sat with some of my TA friends there and compared notes...although...I don't remember what those notes were for

I had to go do the "shopping" for my DW who let me run off without her on this cruise all the while she and my 3 kids were digging out over and over from two sizable snow storms in Rhode Island. I felt bad ok...not that bad. Bought my "inaugural" pins, Nike golf shirt, tshirts for the kids and a mug for DM. Then it was up to the room for a shower, quick nap, dress up for Dinner in the Royal Palace. I so enjoyed this restaurant! From the lights with the glass slippers to the cornices shaped like crowns, and chairs fit for...well...royalty. This place dripped in special! One thing I will point out, the staff was still working out some kinks I think, but they were more friendly that usual, and tried very hard to making us happy, and maybe I am too easy going, but I did excuse some oversights. To me, life is too short to sweat the little things. This was "Pirate Night" so the menu reflected this. I had the short rib, which was delicious! But I couldn't wait to head up to the party. So out the door I went. I normally get dressed for Pirate Night, but since I was traveling alone, I decided I would save that sort of thing for the special-ness of sharing that fun with my family. So I gathered up my bandanna that was left for me in our stateroom plunked it on my head, and headed to Deck 12, headed to "starboard side" (right side for you land lubbers) to catch the new "Pirate Blast". Wow and very very cool. Unlike the previous versions of the fireworks, on the Dream, they fire the pyrotechnics from both forward and aft...very very cool! Then the show started, and I loved it. My one criticism would be that it's too short, or maybe that it seems to end abruptly. Other than that it was awesome!

Then it was to the desert buffet. I was very underwhelmed by it! It wasn't bad, but it was truly a shadow of what it "USED" to be. It's located in Cabanas on deck 11 aft. Met a very funny CM "Amanda" from Mexico. She was brand new never worked a cruise ship before and my guess was probably about 21. If you see her she is a bundle of energy, and promised to sit on my shoulder at the pirate party as my parrot in August. (she was under 5 foot)

So that is Day 3, and here I sit just thinking last week at this time I was enjoying all this. Oh well, I will be back in August, and I will be back with some pics tomorrow to support day 2 and 3. Somebody asked for menu pics. Sorry, I didn't not take any (shame on me). So there is one day left to relive and it was the day at sea...so until then enjoy!

 

[tigger2on]

One other cool fact I got from an actual engineer that was involved in the design of the ship .

Was by chance the engineer you spoke to a scottish man by the name of Allan?

 

[Coach Rick]

Was by chance the engineer you spoke to a scottish man by the name of Allan?

Hmm, I don't recall, but I don't think he was Scottish from the accent.

 

[Coach Rick]

Well I know this took me longer than I intended, but I have been tied up.

this being only my third 4 nighter, I have come to love the day at sea. Friends have wondered what in the world do you do on a ship in the middle of the ocean hour after hour...my answer is the day isn't long enough. The ship is enormous! There are more nooks and crannies than a truck load of Thomas's English Muffins on this ship! I used this day to sleep in just a bit, not waking till about 8. Went to breakfast up at Cabanas. Once again, very good, but strange enough, they do not do omelets, although my roomie had asked few CM's and was directed to the "supposed" omelet station only to be told no, they only have fried eggs. Oh well, still enjoyed the offerings.

After breakfast I decided to spend some time at the adult pool bar...I love that place (you will hear that often from me all over the ship) I don't know, it's just cool to be sitting with your feet in the water with friends and a drink. I then headed up to deck 13 once again, (another favorite place) forward to where there are some very comfortable lounge chairs with headrests or not. It was great up there, and I did in fact fall asleep. It's very quiet up there and they play some nice music, mostly light jazz. Just laying there with no cares what so ever for a bit of time was absolutely fantastic. Then I spent about an hour or so chatting with other guests about what they liked and disliked, and the size of the pools came up again and again. One thing that did occur to me was that the Dream is so much larger than the Wonder/Magic I think this contributes with the perceived lack of pool size. As we sailed past Freeport at a breakneck speed of 8 knots I thought about how truly lucky I am to be in that moment while there is so much suffering in the world. This place on the ship is a very good place to do that, imo.

Lunch consisted of more of Flo's walk up window, and then it was time to get ready for a special fairwell reception they had for us travel agents. Headed down to Evolution for some libations and fun times once again with my collegues. Those that are reading this, thanks for the company. I had a great time with you! I had a neat drink there called a "buried treasure". It was greenish and had lots of rums in it, and of course was delicious indeed!

Next was the show. This one was a Disney Dream exclusive. "Believe" As with the other shows, this one did not disappoint, and did have me dabbing at moisture leaking from my eyelids. It just amazed me that this is a moving theater and the choreography is so spectacular. Once again, loved the balcony. I will not spoil this show for you all, but it does contain most of the famous Disney characters. I can't wait to bring my family back to see this show!

Dinner was another night in the Royal Palace. Warning, the more you look around the more neat things you will notice in this eating establishment! Tonight I had the french onion soup and the shrimp with lobster medallions. Mmmmmm...it was delish! I then moved on to the chicken with salad, and finally the Tenderloin again with lobster medallions...delish for desert, the strawberry shortcake sundae was fantastic! You will see a picture of this one!

Dinner down last night on the ship what to do what to do...head to the District, what else!! Skyline was our choice this night. Ordered one more Pina Colada enjoyed the company we were with, which once again was those rowdy young ladies! They were a hoot...Ok, so Skyline, it was just so neat and um...somewhat quiet! This is the place that you heard about, the one with the changing cityscape, cool, very cool. Watched all the cites, from Rio to Chicago, to Paris, to New York..you can tell when the change is bout to take place with the sound of pixie dust and the lixi dust on the screen, and viola...New city to visit! Finally headed back to the stateroom one last time, but only after circumventing the ship on deck 4. Luckily we had put our luggage out prior to heading to the show. Luggage must be put out by 10:30. We returned to our room around 1 AM.

What a night, what a cruise, what an experience. Those that are going soon I can only envy you knowing what you are facing. Those still dreaming of a cruise, the Dream awaits you. There are many magical moments awaiting you, and will certainly make your vacation "Dreams" come true!

Thanks for reading, and I will once again get on the Dream for August 21. Just booked our airfare and can't wait to once again ride the seas aboard one of the truly modern classics!

 

[kato0627]

Great report!!! My DH is one of the people that ask "what do we do all day while at sea".

 

[Coach Rick]

Great report!!! My DH is one of the people that ask "what do we do all day while at sea".

I have used the Day at Sea to enjoy a couples massage with my DW, go to the movies, or just relax. All I know is it seems like the shortest day on the cruise.

 

[momtoleasawav]

Terrific report. Hearing all the negative reports had me down but your report lifted me back up. I can't wait for my cruise in April!

 

[momcicle]

Thanks for the great report!

 

[Roadweaver]

Coach Rick, I just love, love your trip reports. I feel like I am back on the Dream.

As for the omelets, my daughter is a chef and loves to talk to other chefs. She talked to the head chef of Cabanas and Flo's, he told her that the reason there is no omelets is because there is no ventilation in Cabana's. He said they tried to make omelets on the maiden voyage and it was a disaster. He also said that the reason there is no Mickey waffles is that there are only 2 outlets in the area and they need 12 to make enough waffles for the demand.

He told my daughter that all his staff is new and he was glad to hear that we thought they were doing a great job. He said that he was walking around and saw a Mickey pancake on a child's plate, he went back to his staff to find out who did it and no one would admit it. He said that he wanted to tell them that was a good job and how had who ever did it had managed it since they are not cooked right there.

 

[Brancaneve]

I truly enjoy all of your positive comments. It seems that I have read more negative comments on the Dream. Your TR is a breath of fresh air. Can't wait!

 

[Coach Rick]

I truly enjoy all of your positive comments. It seems that I have read more negative comments on the Dream. Your TR is a breath of fresh air. Can't wait!

Thank you very much for your kind comments.

I have been accused of drinking the "Disney Koolaid" Truth be told, there were what I considered minor flaws, and I accept them that way. What I hoped came out in my TR, is my overall feeling of the ship and the staff. I also found the CM's to be the most friendly and enjoyable of all the CM's I have encountered in past cruises. It's new, it's somewhat different and I think if you go into it with an open mind and a desire to enjoy yourself, you too will have a great time and step off the ship with a reservation for the next one.

 

[Cheryl726]

I agree, nice and positive TR Coach Rick! I think I'll be heading up to Deck 13 too!

 

[jenseib]

Thanks so much for your thoughts. I hope you post more pictures

 

[shelbecat]

Great to read your trip report. We are joining you on the August 21st sailing - cannot wait to try out our first Disney cruise! Hope to meet you onboard.