Inaugural 3/31/12 Fantasy Cruise

[Tigger&Bubba]

No luck with any ressies for things we have enjoyed in the past! That is what I get for being sooo late. I will try when we get onboard and we'll see. There are new things to explore and other experiences await if nothing pans out.

Just pulled all the pirate gear out of the closet...oh boy do I need to get to the seamstess. My skirt is too small and there is no way I will lose enough weight to fit in it. I am glad I have started early on this trip. (Usually it is the day before we leave). So we will have our costumes onboard this time.
Congrats to all of you who have lost weight and are on the healthy track.

To borrow a phrase from a good friend....

Sea ya real soon...

 

[Stitch1313]

This is our fifth time on the new ships (did two B2Bs on the Dream last year) and the first time I got a Palo's Brunch.

We did get into Remy's once on each B2B and I must say that while it costs more than Palo's it was a FABULOUS dinner. We did manage to get a Remy's on this cruise. Unlike Palo's, Remy's changes menus every six months which makes a new experience each time.

So, if you can't snag a Palo's you might want to try Remy's (you can save some $$ buy skipping the wine options, but even they are worth it once if you never had a wine pairing before).

Hmmm, hadn't thought about Remy's. I'll have to check the menu and see if DF and I would enjoy the options available. Thanks for the idea!

 

[Stitch1313]

Hi Jennifer48,

Thanks for sharing your researcha and decision making process. I, too, checked pricing and it all comes down to what time we hit the terminal for us. I want to be there to have at least a chance at a reservation for brunch at Palo's.

 

[Stitch1313]

In regards to the arrival time at the port - not only are the check in times and boarding passes important, the time it take to get into the area and through security should be included. The whole party has to be upstairs (across the bridge) before they will check you in - gone are the days of sending one person ahead with all the information!

Remy is well worth it, IF YOU ARE INTO FOOD!! I managed to get into Remy on the Dream Maiden, and while I ate solo (the way it worked out) the service and food were amazing. Be careful...the wine pairing package is 6 to 8 FULL glass pours...I was feeling no pain when I finally finished. However, I missed the show that night. The seating is designed to be 4 to 6 hours. There is ONE seating per night, 50 seats. That is it. I was seated at 6:15pm and left the restaurant at 11:30pm. More than a little snockered, and very very full!

Cayla

Hi Cayla,

Thanks for mentioning the fact that everyone has to be there for check-in. We were considering having DF drop me off at terminal while he returned the rental car and me checking us both in. Looks like we might as well both go to return the car and take the rental car shuttle back to the port. We'll just have to leave a little earlier.

Lisa

 

[Stitch1313]

#1) We are taking DCL transfer from BWV to the port.
#2) Whatever time the bus drops us off
#3) We took DCL transfers to port for the MV of the Dream. We didn't get to the port terminal until 2:30 or so and it was EMPTY! We walked right up to a CM to check-in and almost immediately were called to board. We walked right on, got our picture taken and walked onto the ship. We dropped some stuff at our stateroom and went to Cabanas to get something to eat. Again, the crowds were already gone by then. I'm hoping for a similar experience on the MV of the Fantasy~

Thanks for sharing your experience on the Dream MV. I think I am too anxious to get to the port as late as 2:30. I want to be on the ship as SOON as possible.

I definitely see the advantage of getting there later and avoiding the crowds, but I REALLY want a shot at the Palo's brunch reservation! I have a nagging suspicion that I will do all this planning, get there right at Check-in Time, get our Boarding number, board on time, and there will still be no brunch reservations available.

 

[ppartekim]

I definitely see the advantage of getting there later and avoiding the crowds, but I REALLY want a shot at the Palo's brunch reservation! I have a nagging suspicion that I will do all this planning, get there right at Check-in Time, get our Boarding number, board on time, and there will still be no brunch reservations available.

That's why I never bothered with the embarkation Palo's. If I didn't get it reserved online before, I don't bother with it. I "may" inquire of a wait list later in the evening but that was all. Too many other things to do to worry about Palo's.

That said this cruise does have an enormous amount of Platinum's and Gold so the chances of a walk-up reservation I'll bet is null. My recommendation is to enjoy this cruise (maybe request a waitlist) and try for Palo's later.


If you are a Foodie then go for a Remy's, just remember that the menu lists the food not the preparation, presentation and taste. There were some things on the menu that seemed rather normal (why would I pay $$ for that) but, when the plate was delivered and I saw the presentation and tasted it and I wanted more more more of it (nice thing is it's Disney and I could - as long as the kitchen was still open).

After trying the wine pairings once, I now know what a true wine pairing is and enjoyed every glass. But, then I look at the cost and figure I would go for two Remy's than one Remy's w/wine. Just wish I made more money...

 

[Relaxin']

This week I shaved 100 seconds off my 5k time and am now (barely) under 40 minutes. Can't say the I look forward to the treadmill but at least I'm no longer afraid of it.

Good for you with your time. Last night I hit 44 minutes including my 5 minute warm up walk. I am finding my rest times are decreasing each week, so I may get to that 40 minute mark. I am just pleased on how much healthier that I have been feeling. Now to get to my check lists: Layout clothes, Finish FE, Finish FE gifts, buy new bathing suit, haircut, nails, taxes, etc. etc.

 

[calypso726]

GOOD MORNING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS! WE SET SAIL IN 5 WEEKS! THAT IS 35 DAYS!

​

 

[golfnsuch]

This morning I woke to an email from American Airlines that our itinerary had changed, again. Only this time they bumped our flight out of Orlando on April 7th up an entire hour. We were already cutting it close at 11:20, now they had our departure at 10:15 am.

Getting my crew moving on a regular day is a feat in itself, so I knew this was not going to happen between finding luggage, shuttle to the car rental place and return at the airport, not to mention check in. Luckily, AA was super helpful and moved us all to later connecting flights AND managed to keep our seats together.

Now I can relax... and maybe we can even hit Downtown Disney now that we have some breathing room.

 

[truck1]

That said this cruise does have an enormous amount of Platinum's and Gold so the chances of a walk-up reservation I'll bet is null. My recommendation is to enjoy this cruise (maybe request a waitlist) and try for Palo's later.

I think the vast majority of Palos were gone before the Golds got a chance. I was one of the few from the board up at midnight, and I dont remember many, maybe 3 at the most. By the time DCL "fixed" there system, they were gone, along with Remys.

 

[truck1]

Hi all,

We're staying at SSR the night before the cruise. I've been waffling between taking the DCL bus to the Port the day or our departure on the Maiden Voyage. I want to get to the port early enough so that we board early enough to try to get a Palo's Brunch reservation for the day at sea.

I reviewed posts here from people that were on the Dream Maiden Voyage. Some of them said that they arrived early at the terminal (due to taking car service or a rental car), only to have people from the DCL bus inserted into line in front of them when the bus arrived. On the other hand, there are posts from people who took the DCL bus for non-Maiden Voyage cruises and the average arrival time at the port was 1:30 or LATER!

So, my questions to everyone are:
- How are you getting to the Port?
- What time do you plan to arrive?
- What was your rationale for your decision?

Thanks in advance for your input.

We are staying at the CIS near the port, and are taking the shuttle with several other board members. We are getting to the port aeap. Even without the Inaug, wed still get there as early as possible,(we have an 11/1130 arrival time) so that we can maximize our time on the ship, and being a new class we want to walk around a little bit, and find out where everything is.

 

[lbgraves]

I only remember a couple nights available for Remy at midnight when Gold could book. Platinums were posting that Palo was gone prior to that.

Also, please remember to PM me when you send a request to join the FB group.

 

[Scotty69]

We are staying at the CIS near the port, and are taking the shuttle with several other board members. We are getting to the port aeap. Even without the Inaug, wed still get there as early as possible,(we have an 11/1130 arrival time) so that we can maximize our time on the ship, and being a new class we want to walk around a little bit, and find out where everything is.

Ron we are due to arrive at the port at the same time. I still have your number I will give you a call when we get there. As of right now we are arriving via score transportation. That is so long as we can find a cheap flight out. If not we are going to drive and stay at ci&s near the port as well.

 

[calypso726]

Just a heads up everybody! I have sent out a new updated Fish Extender list to everyone who has asked to participate ​

Late comers have been added to the group. Their designated color is orange and there have been some cabin changes and one family has dropped out.

If you did not receive the list please check your spam/junk mail folder in case it wound up hiding from you in there

Please check your info. If there is a typo due to my inability to focus on tasks while fantasizing of Captain Jack Sparrow as my personal Cabana boy at Castaway Cay Let me know and I will try to focus on one Fantasy at a time

If you wind up with an upgrade or change your cabin assignment on sailing day please let me know asap. Leave a message for me in my cabin, 7182 and I will post any changes on the dry erase board that will be on my door.

If you're bringing a DST (Disney Stuffed Thing) and you wish to add them on to your cabin occupants, let me know. There are already a few of us that have added their DST's. But since they are so special to us they have no deadline to be added on I'm sure there are a few people who would get a kick out of finding a creative FE gift for a DST.

Just to be clear there is no expectation to give any DST an FE gift. Just an option fo those who like to get a little silly and creative.

 

[Three at Sea]

hi there, I wanted to do a quick poll regarding dressing up as pirates for Pirate night.

My husband and I are disney fanatics and LOVE dresing up for pirate night, but the last cruise we were on (Holiday Cruise Dec'10) I'd say less than half of the passengers had dressed up and half of those only did so half-heartedly. Given this MV is going to be mostly Plat and Gold, does that mean more people (the majority I hope) will be putting on proper pirate gear? I'm forcing my kids and mom to dress up but they are a bit leary as to whether other people actually do this, or if I'm just trying to trick them into doing it.

So, for those on this forum, who is and who isn't dressing up? and, what are your thoughts as to what the Pirate population wil be on MV Fantasy pirate night?

thanks!

 

[ppiew]

Daughter asked the same ? she is 47 yrs old! definitely wants to dress up somewhat. I love dressing up but HATE packing extra stuff! I will try to come up with something more than a bandana and eye patch! Hey everything counts to get in the mood!! ERRRGH!

 

[calypso726]

hi there, I wanted to do a quick poll regarding dressing up as pirates for Pirate night.

My husband and I are disney fanatics and LOVE dresing up for pirate night, but the last cruise we were on (Holiday Cruise Dec'10) I'd say less than half of the passengers had dressed up and half of those only did so half-heartedly. Given this MV is going to be mostly Plat and Gold, does that mean more people (the majority I hope) will be putting on proper pirate gear? I'm forcing my kids and mom to dress up but they are a bit leary as to whether other people actually do this, or if I'm just trying to trick them into doing it.

So, for those on this forum, who is and who isn't dressing up? and, what are your thoughts as to what the Pirate population wil be on MV Fantasy pirate night?

thanks!

The poll on the FB group for the MV had a decent number of people dressing up and going all out. DH and I will be going all out in our pirate gear! It's nice to know we won't be alone

 

[ppartekim]

The poll on the FB group for the MV had a decent number of people dressing up and going all out. DH and I will be going all out in our pirate gear! It's nice to know we won't be alone

While I don't have what one would call "proper" pirate gear, I have what I would call Disney fun pirate gear. It is made up of the misc. items I have collected from WDW and on-board stores, ports, etc.

Just fun, not authentic, but then that is what this cruise is for fun. And if that means "proper" for some (which really are neat to see) and "fun" for others. We are all participating.

When we did the 3/4 day cruises last year, a majority of the guests were new DCL cruisers who did not understand yet the concept of joining in the fun (also a lack of FE and door decorations). This being a more experience guest list (Plats, Golds) and a longer cruise, I would expect much more participation, heck just look at the FE list and the Champagne Girls for participation.

 

[golfnsuch]

I just finished my "I heart Pirates" tee this week!

I understand where Gert is coming from, though. We have a baggage charge for checking luggage on our flights, so I'm trying to make sure everything packed can do double duty. Hence, pirate tees will be worn as pjs or on excursions.

Although if you've seen my FE, you know that mine will be sparkly.

 

[lbgraves]

I went back and checked the FB poll and there were 24 saying they were dressing up all out, 5 would wear "token" pirate wear [T's & the like] and no one said they weren't dressing up.

I expect there to be a large number since this is the MV & the first official Pirate night on the Fantasy, as well as it being a 7 night cruise. We have always found more people dressing up on the longer cruises than on the 3 night we did.