January 5, 2014 ~ DREAM Cruise to Bahamas

[Ready to go]

Hi Guys, Just checking in to make sure we are all still going! Thanks for the tip about it being a marathon weekend when we get back from the cruise...It made it much easier to decide if we would go to parks before or after!!! We plan on going before, but of course have not booked hotel yet because packages have not yet been offered (Free Dining Plan would be a blessing but I am not counting on it). We booked this through Dreams Unlimited, has anyone used them before?

 

[cheeser]

We are definitely still in. We leave for Orlando in 199 days! Haven't booked our resort package either. We use John with Magical Memories!

 

[disbride713]

When we were boarding...the port was packed with people wanted to get on. We went to the port at 11am...using a limo from the resort so that we could board earlier than last year. 2012 we used Disney bus from our resort at AKL and because of Disney Marathon traffic we barely boarded before 3pm...so this year we wanted to get there early and have the advantage of more time on the boat that day.

We are not going to do that again...there is not much seating while waiting at the port and it is very crowded and loud. You are best to wait for your Disney bus transportation instead of arriving so early.

When you say you won't do that again, meaning arrive early at port? Why, were you not allowed to board the ship early? We were planning to do that as our last 2 cruises, we got to the port later in the day and felt we didn't have much time to check out the ship before the sail away party.

Debarkation in 2013 was kind of a nightmare. Someone had a heart attacked and passed away on our Castaway Cay day. So we'd been delayed leaving Castaway Cay waiting on Bahamas authorities to release the boat. When we actually got back to Port Canaveral and it was debarkation day...Port canaveral authorities delayed our boat because of having to come on board to retrieve the body from the freezers and process all the paperwork before anybody could get off the boat.

I think we were on the same cruise! It was a shame what happened to that family. I thought they transported the body right from the island to the Bahamas (that's what we were told) so didn't realize that's what also caused the issue with debarkation.

 

[mpls1639]

We will be on this cruise with our daughter who will be 5 also. This is our 2nd cruise with Disney but the 1st one on the dream. We were on the fantasy for the 1st one.

 

[cheeser]

The only people allowed to board the ship early are concierge. Everyone else waits in a huge crush at the terminal until boarding time. If you don't mind standing in a huge line at the terminal for an hour or 2, it shouldn't be a problem. We will definitely be doing that for this trip. With 2 boys with ADHD on this trip...it will not be tolerable to be in that huge crush. We will do the Disney bus and just get there when we get there. Less hassle...less stress and the hour or 2 more that you get...in my opinion. Wasn't worth the aggravation.

Disney has very little time to turn those ships around. They have to get everybody off the boat...and all the rooms and dining areas all cleaned and all the systems turned over for new passengers. They are doing all this...while you are impatiently waiting to board. So...only concierge gets to board early...and than if you have carry-on baggage...you have to haul it around while waiting for your room to be ready.

Just thinking...we were hours delayed debarking the Fantasy in January...the crew must have been pulling their hair out. Dealing with people who wanted off the boat...and than dealing with people who wanted on the boat...but were delayed because they couldn't get everybody off the boat quick enough.

It's really up to you...but it didn't gain us that much time...but just aggravated everybody. Getting bumped...very load crowd impatiently waiting in the terminal. It's up to you!

I'd rather....have a leisurely breakfast at my resort...maybe some pool time...or shopping...than catch the Disney bus. 2 years ago January...when we did it. The bus was delayed getting to port because of the Marathons...but we got to the port...got through security scanning...and when we got to the terminal it was empty. We got all the pictures we wanted...checked in...our Mickey ears terminal pics...and right on board. Walked directly to our rooms...dropped off our stuff...and headed up to get a bite to eat in Cabanas. Snapped pics...the whole way...than had leisurely drinks...up on deck...before heading to muster. No crowds...no hassle and no stress.

 

[Ready to go]

Well, I think we pretty well have our trip nailed down. Still waiting for Southwest prices to go on sale....Anyone know when that might be? I know last time our fare went down to $110 each way (only for one day) and we were able to adjust the tickets we had already purchased because we used points, but I can't remember how close that was to our May trip. Oh well...we won't have enough points this time because there will be five of us, so I will really have to watch!

By the way, we live in Wisconsin and spent the weekend in the
Wisconsin Dells, which is a great vacation for any living near by...It's water capitol of the world!!!

 

[cheeser]

I don't know when Southwest should have their rates come out that might be better. I usually buy in August for January. Only been burned once and that was buy a sale in October, which would have saved me $30 bucks a piece.

 

[Ready to go]

Wow! I have to say this group is quiet! We have only done two other cruises, both seven days, so is this "quiet" typical of a shorter cruise? Is anyone interested in either a recipe exchange or FE?

We are staying at the Pop before the Cruise and I have been reading my Unofficial Guide so that we can commando the parks. Where are others staying? Also, I think that instead of uisng Disney transfers to get to the Port, we are going to check into Happy Limo since we are five. Any input?

Only a little more than five months guys!!!

 

[sskem96]

Maybe it will be a nice quiet cruise then!

Since this is our first cruise, I don't want to take charge of organizing something like that, but if somebody else starts an exchange group, we'll probably join in.

We're staying at OKW for 3 nights before the cruise. Not sure if we're going to hit the parks at all, but DH and DD16 are going to check out WWoHP on Friday or Saturday. I might be able to talk my parents into a day at MK, or we may just end up hanging out at the resort and watching Wishes from TOTWL.

We were having a hard time deciding on transportation to the port too, but I think we're just going to let Disney take care of it for us. Then I won't worry about the ship leaving without us if something happens en route.

 

[cheeser]

We are staying at AoA for the first time and doing DHS(Friday) and MK(Saturday) to hit the new Fantasyland.

Let me know if anyone wants to do the FE, because the boys 8 & 9 at time of cruise would probably love to join and would help me distribute!

 

[cheeser]

I think Delta is trying to drive me insane. They posted sale rates only good through December 18th.

 

[Ready to go]

Has anyone decided on any excursions in the Bahamas? We have never been there but from reading on the boards the rum cake (it was tortuga or something) is supposed to be a must. I am playing with the idea of the Chocolate tour but also was reading a trip report in which a link to a walking tour was given. It looks interesting and would be free....any ideas?

 

[sskem96]

Has anyone decided on any excursions in the Bahamas? We have never been there but from reading on the boards the rum cake (it was tortuga or something) is supposed to be a must. I am playing with the idea of the Chocolate tour but also was reading a trip report in which a link to a walking tour was given. It looks interesting and would be free....any ideas?

I think the chocolate tour sounds fun. We definitely won't be doing a walking tour with my parents in tow, but my dad does want to get off the ship since it's a place he's never been. I think the chocolate tour might be something we'd all enjoy.

 

[Ready to go]

Hi All, I was talking to my husband tonight and said that I would put out feelers to see if there were many people interested in a FE or Recipe exchange. On our last cruise I joined a FE but it got very large (OVER 40 Staterooms) and I was unable to participate because of luggage space. Fortuntately, there were about four to five families that wanted a small group so viola...a small, but very managable FE group was formed. Any way...I would be game to organizing a FE if people were interested (I am not computer savy and my husband assured me he would help figure out how to post any spreadsheets). I would like to have an end date for signing up, and also would like to keep the group in staterooms of no more than twenty before splitting it up. What do you think? If I am being unreasonable let me know...I have a tough skin. Otherwise if someone else is interested in organizing I would be happy to just sit back and join (actually I would probably prefer this-LOL)

 

[Hokiejem]

Hi there,

We are booked on this cruise to celebrate my 40th birthday (actually during the cruise!) and my husband's 40th in Feb. We will have our three daughters with us (ages 6, 8 and 12) and it will be our first family cruise! We are so excited and would be interested in the fish extender thing--I have been discovering all about it online

 

[carriega]

We cannot wait for the next 4+months until our first disney cruise. This will be our first family cruise and a surprise for our kids (4&7)!

 

[carriega]

I'm interested in the FE fun too! LMK too!

 

[disbride713]

It's really up to you...but it didn't gain us that much time...but just aggravated everybody. Getting bumped...very load crowd impatiently waiting in the terminal. It's up to you!

Thanks for the info, really helpful! It also sounds like we're going to be in Disneyland around the same time as well, we're heading there on 10/18!! I hope your DL trip is amazing!

 

[Ready to go]

I will start working with my husband tomorrow to get a FE/Recipe list started. A little more than 4 months!!!!Wooohoo!!! So where is everyone from? We live near the Milwaukee area in Wisconsin and the weather has been fine! So far we have been able to get our airfare from MCO back to Milwaukee but I am holding out for better fare on our way there. I thought January was a slow month (maybe not for Southwest?)

 

[sskem96]

Yeah! Thank you so much for organizing it! I actually ordered supplies to start working on my FE gifts, and they came in yesterday. Now I can get to work! With DD13's help of course. She's the crafty one in the family.