Memories of the DREAM come true .. 08/09 All 30 days done!

[podsnel]

I just LOVE going away on vacation and coming home to all of these FABULOUS updates!!!

Your Dream cruise looks incredible- I can't WAIT to see the ship for myself!! We were able to book Tea in Palo, but I snoozed on brunch (although we plan to try once we board the ship). Do you feel like Palo on the Dream was at all different than on the Wonder? Just curious-

Ok- I am off to upload some pics- I am sure people on my threads think I have jumped the DISboard ship, but the reality is that we had a LOT of computer problems in January, and I was also incredibly busy (what with taking two tropical vacations in a week of each other ).......

Oh! And I am SO SORRY about your EYES on CC! I often have eye issues, and on vacation, that ESPECIALLY stinks!

Ellen

 

[jenseib]

Now that is the first time I saw the mens bathroom there....it looks just as cool!

 

[dizneeat]

It's great you took the time to explore the ship! The Skyline bar and Pink look so elegant! Even elegant toilets!!!!

We really enjoyed exploring the ship and even though we stayed for 11 nights there was so much we still wanted to do and see and we never made it there.
Skyline was so much fun! And we got to see all the cities a few times! Pink was very elegant and I wasn't sure I would feel comfortable, but then it was just so nice there and we "had to" spend more time at Pink - the pink Taittinger Champagne was pretty good too!

Sounds like my kind of day; a wonderful breakfast followed by exploring the ship

It was such a wonderful and relaxed day, Linda. We had a lot of fun and I think "some" of our activities that day would have found your approval.

I just LOVE going away on vacation and coming home to all of these FABULOUS updates!!!

Your Dream cruise looks incredible- I can't WAIT to see the ship for myself!! We were able to book Tea in Palo, but I snoozed on brunch (although we plan to try once we board the ship). Do you feel like Palo on the Dream was at all different than on the Wonder? Just curious-

Ok- I am off to upload some pics- I am sure people on my threads think I have jumped the DISboard ship, but the reality is that we had a LOT of computer problems in January, and I was also incredibly busy (what with taking two tropical vacations in a week of each other ).......

Oh! And I am SO SORRY about your EYES on CC! I often have eye issues, and on vacation, that ESPECIALLY stinks!

Ellen

Ellen, you are going to love the ship! It is so beautiful and there are so many things to do and see!
We did the tea too, (coming up here pretty soon!) but I have to admit I enjoy brunch more.
Since you asked ... it's smaller than on the Wonder, but the food and service are as good as on the Wonder. We really enjoyed having a table by the window and looking out at the sea while enjoying some yummy food.

My eyes have always been pretty sensitive, but I never expected it to become as bad as that first day. I was better prepared on our second visit to Castaway Cay!

Now that is the first time I saw the mens bathroom there....it looks just as cool!

Tom and I had a pretty good laugh as we both took exactly the same photo in the respective bathrooms!
But they are so awesome ...... they are even pointed out during the tours on the ship.

 

[dizneeat]

Day 12, August 24

Exploring the DREAM and BELIEVE!! - Part 2

Shortly before 11am we headed to the D-Lounge to watch a cooking demonstration.

We found a nice table up front and watched chef Kristian from Hungary make Apple Strudel.

During the presentation they handed out samples which were really tasty.

It was so fun to listen to people commenting on him working the dough

than pulling it out.

He did very well and people asked a lot of questions afterwards.
After the demonstration we walked through the Art Shop and then headed towards the elevators to go up to our stateroom.
We spent a little time watching TV and finding out the location of Hurricane Irene which was heading our way.
Around noon we walked down to the Royal Palace again, this time to have lunch. We expected the restaurant to be full, but it wasn't. So we were led to a table in the middle of the restaurant and handed our menus. A server was coming by right away to take our drinks orders and we both ordered a Diet Coke, then started to read the menu. A bread basket full of dinner rolls and slices of baguette was placed on the table and the baguette was really nice and fresh.

Tom ordered

the Shrimp Cocktail with Wakame Salad and a zesty cocktail sauce. My choice was

the Dill Marinated Salmon, with Mache, Micro Greens and Honey Mustard Dressing. Both looked and tasted delicious.

The Chilled Tangerine Soup with with lemon thyme cream intrigued Tom too, so he ordered it as well. As his main course he ordered

the Steak Frites, Sirloin Steak with French Fries, Grilled Tomato and Herb Butter, while I chose

the Captain's Cobb Salad, chopped cucumer, tomatoes, avocado, eggs and onions with sliced turkey, bacon, romaine lettuce, watercress and blue cheese crumbles. It was served with a choice of dressings and I had some balsamic dressing with it. I have had cobb salad at the Hollywood Brown Derby before and did not like it at all. Now that salad was truly wonderful. Having watched the pastry chef prepare the Strudel, we had to try

the Viennese Apple Strudel with Vanilla ice-cream for dessert. We both ordered

an Espresso to go with it and enjoyed the rest of our dinner very much. Once done we dragged ourselves back to our stateroom, pulled out the rest of our Fish Extender gifts and went to hand them all out and while we were still doing that we got a good view of the princesses holding court.

When we came by the Atrium the next time, the regular lines for the princesses had been gone and there were cameras and a family meeting the princesses was filmed. As we later found out they were a family that was featured on Extreme Makeover Home Edition. After we had finished our duty we crashed in the stateroom for a while until it was time for our next appointment.

To be continued ..........

 

[jenseib]

how neat to see a exreme makeover family there.

 

[dizneeat]

how neat to see a exreme makeover family there.

It was so exciting when we finally saw the finished show! The little girl was such a trooper and so excited to see the princesses!

 

[dizneeat]

Day 12, August 24

Exploring the DREAM and BELIEVE!! - Part 3

After we had finished our duty we crashed in the stateroom for a while until it was time for our next appointment.
I packed my box of tea which I had brought and we headed upstairs to Palo for afternoon tea.
We had to wait at Meridian for a while and then were led to a nice four top at the window. Ann-Marie from South Africa was our server and she was very nice and polite and explained the process before she handed us the tea menu.
I had looked at that menu beforehand and had not found anything remotely to my liking, so this is where my tin of tea came into play. I very politely asked her if she minded if I use my own tea, as there was nothing on her menu that I particularly liked.
She laughed and then told us that she had sailed on the Disney ships for 8 years now, but she had never had a guest who brought their own tea. She was happy to use my tea and asked if she could smell the tea. Sure she could and we offered her some tea to try which she and her friend happily did.
A short while later we were served our water, into which we added our tea.

While the tea was still brewing we were brought a plate of little finger sandwiches, some of which were very nice, but 1 of them was rather dry.

Once we had had our first cup of tea and had enjoyed the sandwiches, we were served some scones. They handed them out from a large plate and you could have as many as you wanted.

They were served with strawberry preserved and some wonderful thick clotted cream.

We enjoyed the scones, our tea and the beautiful view from our table and once we had finished the pastries we were brought a plate of petit fours, miniature pastries.

There were four different pastries for each one of us. And we still were not done, we still had one more course to come.
The last course was a Strawberry Trifle.

We really enjoyed the whole experience but felt like all we did all day was eat, especially when we knew that we had a reservation for Palo for dinner as well. We said goodbye to Ann-Marie, then headed downstairs to our stateroom and crashed on the beds for a while. We tried to watch a movie but were too tired.

To be continued ..........

 

[annmarieda]

The more and more I think about it, the more I realize I really like afternoon tea. It just seems so special. A little nibble brought... then another. I know you are planning on tea at the Grand Floridian, and they off champagne too. Was that an option for you here?

BTW, I always find it funny that my morning - I am online and (if I am not mistaken) it is your night and you are online. Then come my night again I am online while you too are online only...we have now switched it is your morning.
Course, I think I have mentioned this before

 

[dizneeat]

The more and more I think about it, the more I realize I really like afternoon tea. It just seems so special. A little nibble brought... then another. I know you are planning on tea at the Grand Floridian, and they off champagne too. Was that an option for you here?

BTW, I always find it funny that my morning - I am online and (if I am not mistaken) it is your night and you are online. Then come my night again I am online while you too are online only...we have now switched it is your morning.
Course, I think I have mentioned this before

I have always loved a good afternoon tea. My London aunt introduced me to it when I was visiting as a teenager.
It is such a fun experience with all the different offerings of savoury sandwiches and petit fours.
I cannot remember if Champagne was an option at Palo. I guess we will opt for it at the GVTR though.

There are 9 hours between us, Ann, if I am not mistaken. And you are right, when you spend your morning at the computer it is already getting late here and vice versa.
No matter how it works out .... I am always happy to see you online!

 

[MamaPotts]

The tea looks just lovely! Can't wait to try it on our next cruise. But in the meantime, I'll be stealing some ideas for when I host my first time here at home.

It pains me that you had such issues with your eyes at CC. I sure hope it wasn't your new sunscreen that caused it.

 

[dizneeat]

The tea looks just lovely! Can't wait to try it on our next cruise. But in the meantime, I'll be stealing some ideas for when I host my first time here at home.

It pains me that you had such issues with your eyes at CC. I sure hope it wasn't your new sunscreen that caused it.

It was a nice experience and the view from our table was incredible! We had a lot of fun.
Go ahead, and steal as many ideas as you want to! They had some pretty tasty stuff.

Don't worry about my eye issues! It is just that my eyes are super sensitive to sunlight. This time I covered up big (hat, glasses) and still towards the end of the day, my eyes started acting up again.
Guess a visit to the "eye-doctor" is in store. Guess I need something to sooth my eyes with when I am exposed to that much sun.
We used up some of "that" new sunscreen this February and it worked just fine! Thanks again!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I love it when the Home Makeover family gets a Disney trip!!!!

That tea looks really special! I just can't see DH doing it with me - he would be asking where the real food is! Maybe someday with my grandaughter.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Oh, my...the clotted cream with scones and Triffle look especially yummy! What a view, Karin!

Do hope your eyes are okay and you'll just need to take extra precaution in the sun. I have super eye sun sensitivity too and it can be hard on the cornea (when it is bad, my eye shuts on it's own and it even hurts - so lots of shade for those pretty eyes! But you already know that!

Champagne at GVTR is lovely and just the right afternoon touch!

After all this time, one would think I'd know not to read your TR before breakfast...soooo hungry now...we do have some lovely strawberries and whipped cream... hmm... think it would be nice to make Sophia and I something special this morning.

Love the pics, Karin!

 

[englishrose47]

I hope the clotted cream was from Devonshire , where it is supposed to be I have to say I make a pretty good trifle !! I have learned over the years to improvise for what is not easily available over here Later this month we will have our annual EASTER TEA for the individuals ,my 2 female staff are looking forward to making the items I found in a cook book " Tea fit for a Queen"Of course I will make the Trifle and decorate for Easter .

 

[dizneeat]

I love it when the Home Makeover family gets a Disney trip!!!!

That tea looks really special! I just can't see DH doing it with me - he would be asking where the real food is! Maybe someday with my grandaughter.

It's a shame they stopped the show! Tom and I loved to watch it!

The tea was nice. Maybe we should cruise together some time, you and I could celebrate tea together and send the men off to a "tasting" of their own.

Oh, my...the clotted cream with scones and Triffle look especially yummy! What a view, Karin!

Do hope your eyes are okay and you'll just need to take extra precaution in the sun. I have super eye sun sensitivity too and it can be hard on the cornea (when it is bad, my eye shuts on it's own and it even hurts - so lots of shade for those pretty eyes! But you already know that!

Champagne at GVTR is lovely and just the right afternoon touch!

After all this time, one would think I'd know not to read your TR before breakfast...soooo hungry now...we do have some lovely strawberries and whipped cream... hmm... think it would be nice to make Sophia and I something special this morning.

Love the pics, Karin!

The Scones were really yummy - we loved them a lot! And Clotted Cream -
I need to have my eyes checked soon anyway, as I need new glasses and I will make sure to discuss the issue with my doctor. I have always been sensitive with the sun, skin and eyes but I never experienced it as bad as last summer.

Guess what .... we might have to change the tea to another day right away. I remembered that they do a beer tasting at the Wave for guests of the CR and BLT - and we will be there for just the right day - but the tasting is around the same time as the tea .... so there we go ..... ADR changes are ahead.

And I hope you had a nice breakfast yesterday! What did you make for Sophia and yourself?

I hope the clotted cream was from Devonshire , where it is supposed to be I have to say I make a pretty good trifle !! I have learned over the years to improvise for what is not easily available over here Later this month we will have our annual EASTER TEA for the individuals ,my 2 female staff are looking forward to making the items I found in a cook book " Tea fit for a Queen"Of course I will make the Trifle and decorate for Easter .

Actually I cannot remember where it was from, but it still was a yummy treat - I love me some good scones!
Mmmmmmmh ..... I hope you post photos of your Easter tea and your famous trifle! I love my aunt's when we are visiting ...... too lazy to make one myself.

Rosie, please check your PM!!!!!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

The Scones were really yummy - we loved them a lot! And Clotted Cream -
I need to have my eyes checked soon anyway, as I need new glasses and I will make sure to discuss the issue with my doctor. I have always been sensitive with the sun, skin and eyes but I never experienced it as bad as last summer.

Guess what .... we might have to change the tea to another day right away. I remembered that they do a beer tasting at the Wave for guests of the CR and BLT - and we will be there for just the right day - but the tasting is around the same time as the tea .... so there we go ..... ADR changes are ahead.

And I hope you had a nice breakfast yesterday! What did you make for Sophia and yourself?



Actually I cannot remember where it was from, but it still was a yummy treat - I love me some good scones!
Mmmmmmmh ..... I hope you post photos of your Easter tea and your famous trifle! I love my aunt's when we are visiting ...... too lazy to make one myself.

Rosie, please check your PM!!!!!!

Had to laugh because I've posted the same announcement to Rosie in the past!!

Well, Beer Tasting sounds like a darn good reason to change Tea! I vote to definitely change!

Sophia and I did have a very nice breakfast yesterday...but not by me...Mia (DD) went to Panera and brought us all home yummy Ham & Cheese Panini breakfast power sandwiches and Orange SCONES!! She had no idea! Alas, no clotted cream though.

Guess we belong to the same skin sun sensitivity club - think it is my pale German skin - it breaks out in hives from sun exposure or just heat ...it's a no win situation...sun screen does help with the exposure but nothing can be done when to prevent the hive from the heat. Pathetic.

Did I miss the photos of the inside of your stateroom, bathroom and
shower? Feel like I missed an update somewhere...

Rest well and don't stay up too late doing updates!!

 

[dizneeat]

Had to laugh because I've posted the same announcement to Rosie in the past!!

Well, Beer Tasting sounds like a darn good reason to change Tea! I vote to definitely change!

Sophia and I did have a very nice breakfast yesterday...but not by me...Mia (DD) went to Panera and brought us all home yummy Ham & Cheese Panini breakfast power sandwiches and Orange SCONES!! She had no idea! Alas, no clotted cream though.

Guess we belong to the same skin sun sensitivity club - think it is my pale German skin - it breaks out in hives from sun exposure or just heat ...it's a no win situation...sun screen does help with the exposure but nothing can be done when to prevent the hive from the heat. Pathetic.

Did I miss the photos of the inside of your stateroom, bathroom and
shower? Feel like I missed an update somewhere...

Rest well and don't stay up too late doing updates!!

So I am not the only one to have to give Rosie a hint. But with all she has on her mind I can forgive her for not checking PMs!

Thanks for the heads up on changing the tea - I have just found out that our itinerary for our cruises this summer are different than what I thought they were - some more changes - FUN!!!!!!!!

Oh my god, I cannot believe that you are so sensitive to sun too and I get the same kind of hives! This is one of the reasons I have not been keen on going swimming outdoors for a long time. Thankfully they have developed some really good sunscreen which helps a lot, but I constantly have to reapply no fun.

I haven't posted any photos of our stateroom and/or the shower yet, Christine, but I will do so soon.
I feel pretty rested, even though we are past midnight here. I had a terrible headache this afternoon and had to lie down, after two hours I was able to fall asleep and slept for a few hours.
Updating now sounds like the perfect thing to do, but the DISboards are pretty slow for me today!

 

[dizneeat]

Day 12, August 24

Exploring the DREAM and BELIEVE!! - Part 4

We tried to watch a movie but were too tired.
So after an hour or so we got ready again to go down to the Walt Disney Theatre to watch this night's performance of Disney's Believe.
Again we found a seat at the front row of the balcony and were chatting and watching people finding a seat on the main floor when someone approached us.
Paige and her parents were sitting just a few rows back and she had a pin for us to remember her by. What a cute idea. We thanked her and told her that we had a small present for her as well, but it was still down in our stateroom.
We let them know that we would not have dinner with them that day as we were heading to Palo, but we would all have breakfast together the next morning, so we would bring her present with us then.
Shortly after our conversation with Paige, the show began and while it was very nice and sweet it was just not as tear quenching as Disney Dreams on the Disney Wonder.

Once the show was over we went back to our stateroom, found more gifts in the Fish Extender and another towel animal on the bed.

We rested for a while and were happy we didn't have to do all the packing, as we stayed on for two more cruises.
The sea was a bit rougher that day as Hurricane Irene was getting close and Captain Henry was trying to get into Port Canaveral early.
The time seemed to fly by and all too soon it was time for us to get changed again and get ready for our dinner at Palo.
We just walked up to the restaurant and were asked to have a seat at Meridian until our table would be ready. It took about 5 minutes and since it is a nice and quiet little bar we really enjoyed the time in there.
Then we were called and led to the same table we had been sitting for tea in the afternoon. Ann-Marie was our server again.
Right when we were seated Ann-Marie filled our glasses with ice-water and we did not even need some Diet Coke.
While we were still looking through the menu Ann-Marie came over with an antipasti cart. She explained what she put on the plate, piece by piece, then added some chunks of Parmesan cheese and some aged balsamic before she put the plate on our table.

Next she put some

basil butter on the table and

a basket of different breads. We then placed our orders and started to nibble away. The bresaola, marinated fennel and roasted peppers and the olives were really wonderful, but the parmesan pieces with the balsamic was just divine. It was nice to look out onto the ocean, see some lights afar and have a wonderful dinner.
It didn't take long for our starters to be served. Tom had decided on an old favourite,

the Tuna Carpaccio and Lemon Oil Dressing , thin slices of ahi grade tuna brushed with our Chef's special lemon oil, which was really wonderful. I had chosen

the Sicilian Pesto Marinated Grilled Shrimp on a mussel, crab and cherry tomato ragu.
When we had finished our starters we were brought a palette cleanser,

lime sorbet with a blueberry on top. We had thought long about what to order for our main courses, but then gave in to curiosity. So, Tom ordered the recommendation of Ann-Marie,

the Pan-seared Calves Liver Mele e Cipolle on polenta cake with caramelized apples and onions, garnished with air-dried prosciutto and it lived up to all the hype Ann-Marie had created for it. And as a little extra she brought some

Lobster and Mascarpone Ravioli with a light truffle buerre blance to try. I wanted to try something different myself, so I ordered the

Fagotti di Petto di Pollo con Ricotta e Basilico, Baked chicken breast filled with ricotta, basil and red peppers served with pinot grigio reduction which was equally delicious.
We were both really stuffed after all we had had on our plates that day, but there is one thing we just can't let behind at Palo. Their devine

Chocolate Soufflé with Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Sauce. So we both ordered it and since it is freshly made it takes about 20 minutes to arrive. Ann-Marie brought them out and poked a hole into the souffle, then poured the sauces inside and left us to enjoy our dessert.
This is one of the best desserts I have ever eaten and we both worked hard to conquer this treat. After our meal we were then served a digestive, a shot glass full of proseco with a scoop of lime sorbet on top.
This is very nice, cool and refreshing and the perfect end to a perfect dinner. We left the restaurant, thanking Ann-Marie for her services and left her a nice tip too. We walked down to our stateroom and removed the door decorations,

so no one would think we had forgotten them and took them home. Then we grabbed some adult beverages and sat outside on the veranda watching the lights go by.
We were surprised to see that we pulled into Port Canaveral around midnight. So the storm was really coming after us as we had never seen one of the Disney ships pull into port that early. So, when we went to bed we were already docked at Port Canaveral.

To be continued ..........

 

[LuvEeyore]

I am so loving your trip reports that I have come over here as well!! Cant wait for more!!

 

[dizneeat]

I am so loving your trip reports that I have come over here as well!! Cant wait for more!!

Thank you for joining here as well!!!!!!!

Lots more fun to come!