Last cruise was in 2012, what to know now?

[ArielRae]

My last cruise was thanksgiving 2012 on the Disney Fantasy. We now have a trip booked for November 6th 2017 on the Disney Dream. Like to know what has changed since our last cruise. What should we plan ahead for that is new? What is still the same that still needs our attention? Any info would be great. I feel like a newbie planing this cruise. Need to learn to plan everything all over again. I have forgotten everything.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My last cruise was thanksgiving 2012 on the Disney Fantasy. We now have a trip booked for November 6th 2017 on the Disney Dream. Like to know what has changed since our last cruise. What should we plan ahead for that is new? What is still the same that still needs our attention? Any info would be great. I feel like a newbie planing this cruise. Need to learn to plan everything all over again. I have forgotten everything.

Well......

• During the online check in process you select a Port Arrival Time (don't recall when that started).
• You can't bring hard liquor onboard now (only wine or beer).
• There's no more dropping off items for signatures at Guest Services.
• There are a couple of ticketed Meet & Greets (Frozen, and Princess Gathering). You can reserve tickets during your excursion bookings.
• There's an app for DCL.
• Palo now costs $30. Remy $95.
• Bibbity Bobbity Boutique is now on the Dream.
• Vanellope's (extra cost ice cream/sundaes)
• Shutters is pretty much digital now.
• Internet packages are by the MB, not the minute. There's usually a free 50MB package, if you sign up the first day (before midnight).
• You can't bring surge protectors OR extension cords onboard.
• No more Aaarcade.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

• Vanellope's (extra cost ice cream/sundaes)
• Shutters is pretty much digital now.

I'm kind of in the same boat, haven't cruised since 2014. What exactly does Vanellope's sell? Is it a candy store? (and where is it so i can steer my kids clear of it)

Can you tell me how Shutters has changed? Do they still make prints for you? My prints from cruises past are very nice quality, unlike prints I've purchased in the parks , so just wondering.

 

[ArielRae]

DS will be enjoying the kids clubs for the first time. He wasn't old enough last cruise so he did the nursery one day. Anything you can share about the kids clubs would be great.

Where can I find the most recent dining room menus and navigators from the Dream 4night? The info thread here has old out of date ones.

Do they still offer the free self serve ice cream cones since they now sell ice cream at Vanellope's?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm kind of in the same boat, haven't cruised since 2014. What exactly does Vanellope's sell? Is it a candy store? (and where is it so i can steer my kids clear of it)

Can you tell me how Shutters has changed? Do they still make prints for you? My prints from cruises past are very nice quality, unlike prints I've purchased in the parks , so just wondering.

In the past, the photos were lined up, row on row along the walls and you had to hunt down your pictures. Now, all your photos are in a "book" in the book shelf:


You go to one of the kiosks and tap your KTTW card, it will tell you a character & number. Character indicates which bookcase, and number is the number of the book. You can also see your photos on the kiosk monitor. You can order digital (CD or USB) photos, or actual prints.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

@ArielRae Check out disneycruiselineblog.com for recent Personal Navigators for your itinerary. There is still self serve ice cream on the pool deck but not sure what it's called on the Dream.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

@ArielRae Check out disneycruiselineblog.com for recent Personal Navigators for your itinerary. There is still self serve ice cream on the pool deck but not sure what it's called on the Dream.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

View attachment 206654 View attachment 206655

Are there really "so many flavors it's scary"? I just recall chocolate and vanilla. I only remember different flavors on CC.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Are there really "so many flavors it's scary"? I just recall chocolate and vanilla. I only remember different flavors on CC.

Typically, there's a vanilla spigot & and a chocolate spigot & and vanilla/chocolate swirl spigot.


But, sometimes there's something different:

 

[mom4fun]

The onboard booking rules have changed a couple of times since then. The rule now is that you can put down a $250 deposit for a future booking but don't need to attach it to any one cruise. It's only good for a cruise that you take within 24 months. Not like the good old days when we could have them on hold forever.

 

[phinz]

To hear some tell it, it's become so terrible the last couple of years that everybody is issued a number instead of their name, you're required to wear gray clothing at all times (no colors allowed), everybody is fed gruel for breakfast and dinner (there's no lunch) and the cast members are allowed to scoff at you when you ask for more. It's a virtual prison fleet.

 

[wcw57]

To hear some tell it, it's become so terrible the last couple of years that everybody is issued a number instead of their name, you're required to wear gray clothing at all times (no colors allowed), everybody is fed gruel for breakfast and dinner (there's no lunch) and the cast members are allowed to scoff at you when you ask for more. It's a virtual prison fleet.

as vice chairman of redundancy to the chairman of which I am the vice, this post warrants repeating..