New Photos/Review of Dream Cat T and Private Cabanas

budwmn

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Apr 18, 2003
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I finally finished uploading all of my photos from my 1/30 cruise on the Dream.

CLICK ON THE LINK IN MY SIGNATURE BELOW TO GO TO PHOTO ALBUM

Cat T - Suite 12012 (extra large deck on bump-out)

Cabana - Family Beach #4

Suite:
As far as the suite goes, it was beautiful, but strange. All the pocket doors to close off the bedroom were just odd. While they provided visual privacy, they didn't do anything to block out sound. This meant I couldn't watch the TV in the morning without waking my son up (who slept in the murphy bed). I could hear my son roll-over, blow his nose, etc. There would be little privacy for parents to have romance, if you know what I mean.

Storage was also an issue. It was only a four night cruise for two people: my son and myself (DH had to work :sad2:). We packed very light. Still we filled all the drawers and the main walk-in closet. We used the other single shelf closet to store our luggage. That left one small closet which was used to store the duvet/pillows and life jackets. There is no way my family of three could sail in this suite for a week. There simply wasn't enough storage. Those three pocket doors eliminate walls (which had cabinets on the other ships). Big mistake.

The bathrooms were great and I was thrilled that DCL finally added hand-held shower sprays in the suites. Lighting was dark in the bathrooms, but the make-up table in the bedroom had great light.

This suite (12012) is located on the bump-out and has a wonderful deck. The extended wall on the forward side of the balcony blocks wind while at sea. Perfect. Also, the concierge lounge's side door is directly across the hall from the suite. Very convenient.

Concierge Lounge:
I liked the lounge and found it well designed. The food was blah -- little finger sandwiches that had minimal flavor, brownies on sticks, cookies, fruit. I would have been happier with the wings or nachos they serve in the sports bar. Better yet, how about some of those wrap sandwiches they have in the quick serve area on the pool deck. While my son is older and will eat anything, I felt sorry for those with younger children. I did tell them that I thought they should provide kid friendly snacks, too, like carrot sticks or pretzels. I did love the coffee machine, though.

Sundeck:
I enjoyed the concierge sundeck, but wished it had ocean views. Nice music, comfy chairs, water, sunscreen, cold washcloths. It was great!

Castaway Cay Cabanas:
This was the best part of our trip. Well worth the $499! My only wish was for a taller dining table. My son and I put a towel on the floor to sit on while eating at the coffee tables. Kind of silly and wouldn't work for a family. Otherwise, paradise.

I'll try to answer any questions you may have. Enjoy the pictures!
 
Don t they have a walk in closet like the other ships? The noise issue sounds bad. Any suggestions?
 
Thank you for the photo album. We have 12506 booked, now I know what my room looks like.
 
Thank you for this! Your pictures are wonderful too.

I'm enjoying looking at your pics of other cruise line suites. We're thinking of branching out in the future. In your opinion, which cruise line does the concierge experience the best?
 

GREAT pictures!!!
thanks for posting them - FINALLY, good views of every aspect of the room, including both bathrooms!
i have a much better understanding of the room now..

from the pictures, it's easy to see there would be a noise issue...
 
thanks for this ... great pics ...

cabana looks great, we are going to be in #3 next door in april ...
 
We have 12012 booked on the Fantasy with 12010 connecting for my family of 6!:dance3::grouphug::scared1:

Thanx for the photos looks GREAT.

Any idea how the partitions on the veranda's open for connecting staterooms?
 
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Enjoyed your review. We were in 12012 for the 3night 2/3 cruise and I agree with your impressions of the suite. The balcony was great. We were in 12008 (Cat. V) for the 1/30 cruise and enjoyed the extended balcony on it but did not care for the cramped interior of the Cat. V.

We were neighbors on CC. Me and my two DDs were in Cabana #3. :)
 
Don t they have a walk in closet like the other ships? The noise issue sounds bad. Any suggestions?

The walk-in closet is tiny - much smaller than on the old ships. Plus, the additional closets are smaller, too. I'd say you have about half as much storage as you have in the Cat. 3's on the Magic or Wonder.

Unfortunately for the sound issue there is not much you could do but bring a sound machine.
 
Don t they have a walk in closet like the other ships? The noise issue sounds bad. Any suggestions?

Thank you for this! Your pictures are wonderful too.

I'm enjoying looking at your pics of other cruise line suites. We're thinking of branching out in the future. In your opinion, which cruise line does the concierge experience the best?

NCL wins hands down. We've sailed in Courtyard 2-bedroom family suites on both the Pearl and Epic. The suite layout is much better because of the second bedroom for the kids. Plus, you have a butler, concierge, and stateroom attendant. Prepare to be pampered. Also, the Courtyard has a private pool, sundeck, hot tub, sauna, and exercise area. You can even have full meals in the Courtyard or in the suite's only private dining room. All of this on a 7-night cruise for the SAME PRICE as my 4-night Dream cruise in a Cat. T.

We liked the Penthouse on the Solstice, but the butler was inattentive and there weren't a lot of perks for staying in a suite. The ship is beautiful, however we like the food better in the specialty restaurants on NCL. For my family, NCL provides the best combination of suite service/food/fun ship.

We're trying Seabourn Quest out of Venice this summer. It's about a $1000 more than the comparable NCL Jade cruise (getting two connecting cabins), but we like that it is 100% all inclusive (tips, alcohol, specialty dining). I don't know if I'd pick it for a multiple sea day cruise, but it looks like a beautiful floating hotel for a port intensive trip to Europe.
 
We have 12012 booked on the Fantasy with 12010 connecting for my family of 6!:dance3::grouphug::scared1:

Thanx for the photos looks GREAT.

Any idea how the partitions on the veranda's open for connecting staterooms?

It looked like an attendant could open the small door near the railing, but I think only that only the door area would open -- not the whole wall. Not 100% positive, but my best guess.
 
I agree....the 2 bdr suite on NCL (Pearl also)...was wonderful with 3 kids...so much room, and the bathroom! We had up to 17 people in our suite...DD13 was totally spoiled by our butler!!
 
Enjoyed your review. We were in 12012 for the 3night 2/3 cruise and I agree with your impressions of the suite. The balcony was great. We were in 12008 (Cat. V) for the 1/30 cruise and enjoyed the extended balcony on it but did not care for the cramped interior of the Cat. V.

We were neighbors on CC. Me and my two DDs were in Cabana #3. :)

I remember you, neighbor! We were lucky to have such a beautiful day on Castaway Cay. That was the best weather I've had in 12 cruises!

Funny, my parents are in 12008 for our family cruise in March. I'll be in a Cat. V on that one, too. I'm a little nervous about how cramped the Cat. V will be after the Cat. T, but that was all that was available.

I think the perfect combination would be a Cat. T + a Cat. V, but the price is crazy for the value of the cruise.
 
we are in 12514 in 2 weeks. What is the bump out??

The bump out is the extended round area on decks 11 and 12. The interior room size is the same as other suites, but the decks are bigger.

Suites ending in 06, 08, 10, 12 on Deck 12

Suites 02, 04, 06 on Deck 11
 
NCL wins hands down. We've sailed in Courtyard 2-bedroom family suites on both the Pearl and Epic. The suite layout is much better because of the second bedroom for the kids. Plus, you have a butler, concierge, and stateroom attendant. Prepare to be pampered. Also, the Courtyard has a private pool, sundeck, hot tub, sauna, and exercise area. You can even have full meals in the Courtyard or in the suite's only private dining room. All of this on a 7-night cruise for the SAME PRICE as my 4-night Dream cruise in a Cat. T.

We liked the Penthouse on the Solstice, but the butler was inattentive and there weren't a lot of perks for staying in a suite. The ship is beautiful, however we like the food better in the specialty restaurants on NCL. For my family, NCL provides the best combination of suite service/food/fun ship.

We're trying Seabourn Quest out of Venice this summer. It's about a $1000 more than the comparable NCL Jade cruise (getting two connecting cabins), but we like that it is 100% all inclusive (tips, alcohol, specialty dining). I don't know if I'd pick it for a multiple sea day cruise, but it looks like a beautiful floating hotel for a port intensive trip to Europe.


I totally agree with this. We were in a Courtyard Suite on the Pearl, and in Owner's Suites on two other NCL ships, and as far as the room space, layout, and the concierge service & lounge, nothing compares.

I was really hoping that DCL would have the two bedroom suites like NCL does. I really think Disney messed up with all of their suites on the Dream and soon to be Fantasy. But they knew what they were doing, by basically forcing larger families to have to book two staterooms at the cost of four adults.:sad2:
 
Thanks for the great pictures!! You had several in there that answered questions I'd had.
Your pics are always the best!!
 
I remember you, neighbor! We were lucky to have such a beautiful day on Castaway Cay. That was the best weather I've had in 12 cruises!

Funny, my parents are in 12008 for our family cruise in March. I'll be in a Cat. V on that one, too. I'm a little nervous about how cramped the Cat. V will be after the Cat. T, but that was all that was available.

I think the perfect combination would be a Cat. T + a Cat. V, but the price is crazy for the value of the cruise.

Our weather on CC day was perfect. I swear that is the longest we've stayed on the island, usually we are back on ship after lunch. The combination of the gorgeous weather and the cabana kept us out there all day. My girls didn't want to leave.

We have sailed on the Jewel and the Epic in a CY Villa. Will be back on the Epic for a Med cruise this summer. I also have to agree with you about the NCL Courtyard suites and their concierge/butler service. I was hoping DCL would have something similar on the new ships, but they are not quite there yet. IMO, they took a step backwards by eliminating the 2 bedroom suites.
 
are any of the cabanas better or worse?
do you know in advance which cabana you'll have?

When I reserved one thru shoreside concierge, they offered a choice but I wouldn't know one from the other :)

They were booking them low to high number going on the fact that lowest numbers were closer to fam beach / cookies 2 ....

number 4 looks nice and I think #3 is the blue one next to it (we have #3 in april)
 

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