June 10, 2012 Dream 5-Night Double-Dip

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Hello Dreamers!

Question of the day: Do all of your family members know they're going on the cruise, or are you surprising anyone? If so, when/how will you surprise them with it? If they already know, how did you tell them/how did they react about going?

My kiddos do not know. My oldest is 6 and I don't think he even knows there's a such thing as a Disney cruise. However, the other day he said to me, "You know what we've never done? Gone on a cruise. Let's do that." And I wondered where he got that from, but then I figured out he had just watched a Scooby Doo movie that took place on a cruise ship.

We plan on telling the kids this Christmas. Well, actually a few days before Christmas since we spend Christmas with extended family and there will be other kids there and that wouldn't be fair to them. And I don't want to get any crap from my FIL--"What, Disney again?" (we've been twice as a family to the parks). And DH's family doesn't go on vacations. But anyway, I plan on having them open up a box with some hints, maybe some pirate eye patches or a Mickey sailor stuffed animal. And schedule the phone call from Mickey right after they open the box.

I can't wait to tell them! We have the DCL DVD so we could watch that and they'd get an idea of what's in store for them.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Ok, here's a new question of the day:

Have you bought trip insurance yet, or are you planning to?

We will, but we will wait until closer to the PIF day.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Hello Dreamers!

Question of the day: Do all of your family members know they're going on the cruise, or are you surprising anyone? If so, when/how will you surprise them with it? If they already know, how did you tell them/how did they react about going?

My kids are little (3.5 and 5.5 when we cruise) but they know about it. I absolutely cannot keep a secret, so we don't even try. We have watched some Disney Cruise videos with them, especially about the time the Dream was being launched. So, they know what the "Mickey Boat" is and that we're going on it. They're concept of time isn't at all established so we are thinking of not talking about it for a few months before hand and then surprising them when it's time to go. On the other hand, I kind of want to do one of those countdown chains to help build anticipation.

 

[design_mom]

I must have missed yesterday's question!

Everyone knows we're going and is very excited about it. My kids are not really "into" surprises. They have a blast deciding what they want to do, etc. Everytime the Dream is featured on the Disney Channel, they get very excited.

I am helping my SIL/BIL plan their first (and probably only) WDW trip and they are planning to surprise their kids on the day they leave. Their ADR window opened on Sunday and they got everything they wanted. Whoo-hoo! So excited (and jealous!)

Today's question:
We did buy trip insurance already (not through DCL). I don't usually buy for vacations, but expensive trip + leaving the country + hurricane season + "anything can happen in 14 months" convinced me. Although none of us have any health issues that I expect to impact us on the trip, we do have some pre-existing conditions, so I wanted to buy early enough to get the PEC waiver.

 

[jennyh2829]

Hello, All! My family and I booked this cruise a month ago, but I am just now getting around to joining you guys.

We are second-time Disney cruisers, so we're really excited to be sailing on the Dream!

At the time of sailing, our DD will be 11(-1/2).

My DH's birthday is the following week, so we are using that as our excuse to return to Florida...we wanted to be there before it gets too hot!

Please add our "stats" to your list of cruisers.

Thanks!
Me (Natalia), DH (Michael), DD (Chloe)

Hi Natalia,

We're in Cypress...my DD will be 12 on the cruise. Good to have you here!

 

[jennyh2829]

Hello Dreamers!

Question of the day: Do all of your family members know they're going on the cruise, or are you surprising anyone? If so, when/how will you surprise them with it? If they already know, how did you tell them/how did they react about going?

We haven't told DD 11 exactly what we're doing yet, but she doesn't react well to surprises...it makes her very anxious. We will probably tell her next Christmas as well or after...won't be a big to do or anything.

Ok, here's a new question of the day:

Have you bought trip insurance yet, or are you planning to?

We will, but we will wait until closer to the PIF day.

We always do trip insurance on our cruises. You just never know and it is too much money to take a chance. There was a post yesterday or so on the main cruise thread about just that. Someone didn't purchase it and missed their flights and were not offered any reimbursement or anything.

 

[NatdelPozo]

We bought trip insurance through insuremytrip.com With hurricane season and all, we didn't want to risk it.

We have used their services before and even had to change our policy when we changed the travel dates for our cruise and they are reliable and helpful.

My only suggestion would be, if anyone out there has to change their policy in the future, they require that you send an email. From experience, I have learned to always follow-up the email with call 2 or 3 business days later. The agents are always very helpful, but I have found that email responses are very slow.

Oh, and HI! Jennyh2829...we are in Humble. This is our second Disney cruise. Last time our DD had her birthday on board (turned 9 yo) and since she is a little shy, she didn't really choose to use the kids' club except when we had Palo reservations (and then, she didn't have a choice). She seemed to find something fun to do at the club on the Wonder, but I'm hoping she can find someone to hang out with this cruise....the Tween club sounds like so much fun! Plus, I think we are finally ready to allow her to check in and out if she has a companion (and some rules/guidelines to follow)....so I guess we'll see....

I know it's still over a year away, but we're already super excited!

 

[tinkerbell0611]

Hi!

Please add us to the roll call! We'd like to be part of the FE also. We're in cabin 7566.

Here's who is going:

Me (Nancy) -- celebrating my 53rd birthday on June 11
DH - Bruce
DGD - Lucy (she will be 8 when we cruise)
DGD - Sarai (she will be 9 when we cruise)

Can't wait!

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Welcome tinkerbell0611 (Nancy--I'm a Nancy too!)

I noticed you have a ticker that says 44 days til your cruise...where are you sailing?

 

[alltheparks]

We've had this cruise booked since opening day, and DS has known since then. We never surprise him, and always have fun planning!

This will be our 12th cruise, and we have never done travel insurance. Had a close call last year when the volcano started erupting when we needed to fly to Barcelona for our Disney Med cruise. We always try to get in a day early to avoid any issues.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Question of the day:

What are your plans for Nassau? Have you decided yet? Staying on the ship? Disney excursion? Other plans?

We decided we are not going to sign up for an official excursion but we will be getting off the ship. I'd like to keep our options open and be flexible--like if we get rain on our first Castaway Cay day, we might go to the beach on Nassau. Or go to Ardastra Gardens on our own, maybe the pirate museum, or horse & carriage ride. Then back on the boat for lunch or after lunch for some Aqua Duck time or kids club time (my youngest will probably need a nap).

My kids are a bit too young for the Atlantis water park or some of the dolphin/sea lion encounters, but those would be fun when they're older!

 

[NatdelPozo]

I was thinking the same thing! We did Atlantis on our last cruise and it was really beautiful...loved the beach and the pools, but we were there in December, so we were too cold to try the water park. Kind of disappointing

This time, DH thinks we should try something different. I know he would really love to just stay on the ship, but I'm not sure. With a day at sea and 2 days at Castaway Caye, I feel like we are going to have plenty of time to try everything we're interested in, while on board.

I'm wondering if DD and I will feel like we might be ready to get away for a few hours. Thinking we might try the Blue Lagoon Beach Day and maybe snorkle. (I saw a post where you can book this at a discount from their website.)

Anyone ever try this excursion? Any feedback/suggestions?

 

[Pumba's Dad]

We've been to Nassau several times. We've done the Dolphin Swim and Encounter twice. The last time we stayed on board and enjoyed the scenes. Some friends of ours did go in and got a hotel room at Atlantis. This allowed them to go to the park and then run up to the room and change and take a nap. I'm almost tempted to do that.

DS and I did go to the Pirate Museum. That was neat. We may do it again. We also walked around and visit the Rum Cake Factory and bought a few to take home. I have learned that if I just speak spanish, the locals leave me alone..

However, we may just stay on board this time and do the Aqua Duck, and eat some more...

 

[alltheparks]

We haven't decided yet, my in-laws got a room at Comfort Suites and went to Atlantis on their last cruise, and really enjoyed it. We may do that. We have never been there, so looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks!

We really enjoyed just staying on the ship on our Disney MR cruise, so we may just be ship bums!

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Question of the day:

What are your plans for Nassau? Have you decided yet? Staying on the ship? Disney excursion? Other plans?

Good question! We are still up in the air about it, but I think whatever happens the kids will stay on the ship. They are small and not that I'm paranoid or anything but I just don't want to have to deal with them in an unknown place that can get as busy as Nassau can. They'll enjoy the kids clubs more than anything there anyway. That said, DH wants to get off the boat and get some rum and a rum cake at the Tortuga store, so I might go with him. I'm just a bit nervous about both of us leaving the ship with the kids in the club (can we even do that?)

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Question of the Day:

Are you planning on eating at Palo or Remy's? Brunch, tea, or dinner? Have you eaten at either before?

I'd like to eat dinner at Palo with my DH. And maybe tea. Not brunch, though, because I don't think I could control myself with that much food in front of me.

I'm anticipating not getting an online reservation because we're not Castaway Club members, so thinking we will have to reserve once we get on the boat.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Good question! We are still up in the air about it, but I think whatever happens the kids will stay on the ship. They are small and not that I'm paranoid or anything but I just don't want to have to deal with them in an unknown place that can get as busy as Nassau can. They'll enjoy the kids clubs more than anything there anyway. That said, DH wants to get off the boat and get some rum and a rum cake at the Tortuga store, so I might go with him. I'm just a bit nervous about both of us leaving the ship with the kids in the club (can we even do that?)

Yes, I think you can leave them on the ship. I"ve heard of people doing that.

 

[alltheparks]

First - Leaving Kids at the Club - we have done it several times, in March our DS refused to get off the ship in Mexico, and so we would walk around for a couple of hours. We also left him onboard in Corsica, and heard of several families that left kids all day while they tour the European ports. Don't feel bad about, the Kids Club crew will just ask when you think you will be back onboard.

QOTD - we ate at Palo's for dinner & brunch on both our Disney cruises. We like them both, but actually prefer brunch, we love the grape pizza! Yes, we eat, and eat, and eat! Always come away feeling stuff but it is SO good, and we will continue doing it! Dinner the steaks, Chocolate souffle, and the sorbet is fantastic! They even made our favorite grape pizza for us at dinner!

Anyone know if they will offer the brunch on our five day cruise? Last cruise we booked Palo for Pirate's night, and we wouldn't do that again. Pirates night is one our our favorite menu's, and we don't want to miss again.

I'm a picky eater from the Midwest, so I am sure the Remy would be a faboulous meal, it is not something we are not interested in booking!

Hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing weekend! I know we did!

 

[design_mom]

QOTD Nassau: We have not decided for sure what we are doing, but we are leaning toward staying on the ship. I know the kids will want to try the pool and the Aquaduck and that seems like a good time to try it. I have never been to Nassau though (my mother has, and doesn't have good things to say about it). Is there anything that's a "must do"?

QOTD Palo/Remy: Palo sounds much more "up my alley" than Remy -- both due to the menu and the cost! I do not think we're planning to book either though. This is our first cruise. Between the rotational dining and Pirate night, there's only one night that we wouldn't be missing something else... and I am sure that's the same night that EVERYONE will want to book. I'm all about making this trip as stress-free as possible... so I think we're just going to enjoy the "regular restaurants" this time and not worry about trying to get reservations for Palo.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Question of the Day:

Have you bought anything yet in preparation for this cruise? Fish Extender, clothes, etc.?

I bought one thing, not specifically for the cruise but for the surprise package we will have the kids open at Christmas to tell them we are going on the cruise. I bought a Mickey head beach bag at The Disney Store. It was only $4.50. I haven't figured out yet what I will put in it (besides the Cruise DVD). Probably some pirate stuff.

Can I just say how happy I will be in a few weeks here when we pass June 10, 2011???? Then we'll finally be at under a year away!

Hope everyone is doing well!