New to the DREAM here are a few family tips!

[Nicbar]

1. If you have a number of 5 or larger, don't plan on eating breakfast TOGETHER at Cabana's. it's too crowded so go downstairs to Crystal palace...they have enough seating and it's still a buffet.
2. Bring snorkel gear and blow up rafts/noodles! SAVE YOUR $$ it's expensive on Castaway!
3. Stingray adventure on Casteway was worth it! fun for the kids too!!
4. Decorate your door. makes it so much easier for you and your kids to spot!
5. Plan to hit the aqua duck right as it opens or closes!
6. THE POOL is so crowded on sailaway day! don't bother!!! do the detective agency thing with the kids and explore the ship!
7. Our kids were 8 & 10 and they did not like Oceanears Lab! it was so crowded and they didn't want to wait to play with the video games and such...so don't bank on that!
8. DO DRESS UP for pirate it. it's so much fun!
9. No need to order coffee the night before debarkation.... you have to be off the ship by 9:15 and out of your room by 8.
10. DO pack light, you don't need " dressy clothes" and you can wear shorts to dinner! No one will kick you out for wearing shorts but do dress "APPROPRIATELY!"
11. Bring a beach bag. you won't need to bring towels (they are provided) but you'll need something to carry your beach stuff in.
12. BBQ for lunch was not very good...so if you can...eat a big breakfast & skip lunch! your body will thank you later!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

1. If you have a number of 5 or larger, don't plan on eating breakfast TOGETHER at Cabana's. it's too crowded so go downstairs to Crystal palace...they have enough seating and it's still a buffet.
2. Bring snorkel gear and blow up rafts/noodles! SAVE YOUR $$ it's expensive on Castaway!

Great thoughts - however I don't agree with these:

1. Seating at Cabanas is hit or miss, it's possible for large groups to be seated together there. We prefer the buffet so we have a view (preferably outside) while we eat.

2. Don't know if you looked, but, from the DCL website:
recreational floating devices such as floats, rafts and fun noodles cannot be brought on board and are not permitted in the pools or on Castaway Cay.
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/...plans/faqs/prohibited-items/prohibited-items/

But, bringing your own snorkle gear is a great tip.

 

[TestingH2O]

If you have a number of 5 or larger, don't plan on eating breakfast TOGETHER at Cabana's. it's too crowded so go downstairs to Crystal palace...they have enough seating and it's still a buffet.

I believe Enchanted Garden has the buffet. Royal Palace has a sit down breakfast. Not sure what Crystal Palace is...

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I believe Enchanted Garden has the buffet. Royal Palace has a sit down breakfast. Not sure what Crystal Palace is...

Good catch.

 

[SuperTim]

We routinely sat at tables in Cabanas that were meant for 6 to 8 people.... there are only 4 of us.

 

[bumbershoot]

#7 there's more to club/lab than videogames. My son loves to participate in the activities like "get the hook" and "super sloppy science". We are careful to go through the Navigator and send him there during interesting times so there's always something fun to do.

#9 spoken like a person not quite addicted to coffee. Some of us need it shortly after opening our eyes. And our family members need those of us to have that coffee, too.

#10 cruises are something I overpack for and love it. I dress appropriately by not wearing shorts to dinner in the MDR. It's what we like to do! We live near Seattle and it's super casual there. If DH wears Dockers to work his boss thinks he's interviewing somewhere. He's said if he wants to give his boss a heart attack he'll wear his suit. So we like to be fancy, and many others do too.

#12 the vegetarian options on Castaway are quite good in our opinion. Better than most of what they serve onboard in our opinion! So if you haven't tried the veggie burger, couscous, and beans, try it. Maybe it'll make you happier than the other options.

 

[TestingH2O]

#12 the vegetarian options on Castaway are quite good in our opinion. Better than most of what they serve onboard in our opinion! So if you haven't tried the veggie burger, couscous, and beans, try it. Maybe it'll make you happier than the other options.

Oh man, I eat meat and had some excellent meals, but that couscous really hit the spot for a hot day at the beach.

 

[tinkerone]

we were a party of 6 last October and ate breakfast together at cabanas every day with no problem finding a table. none at all. this was on the fantasy but same number of people on both ships so not sure what the difference was.
also, the bbq is subjective. I really don't love it, its just okay, where as dh does love it and says its the best burger he has ever had......

 

[jiminyC_fan]

The couscous at CC is AMAZING! We were on a B2B Double Dip Dream (a total of ten days) this summer. We were a party of 6 and always, always got a table for 6 for breakfast in Cabanas.

 

[Carolina26]

you have to out of the rooms by 8? as in AM?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

you have to out of the rooms by 8? as in AM?

Yes, you and your carry on bags must be out of your room by 8:00 am. And off the ship by 9:00.

 

[Quellman]

you have to out of the rooms by 8? as in AM?

Better hope you don't have first seating for dinner - your MDR time on debarkation morning is like 630am!

 

[ladypiph]

With Cabanas..as some have said there is plenty of room and sitting outside is always an option. And if you are having a very hard time finding seating as a cast member and they will find a way to accommodate your group. I really enjoy the BBQ on Castaway Cay it is worth a try. And in my experience the kids club/lab was only "crowded" during open house. The kids area spans over nearly half an entire deck so there is lots of room to move around even during open house. And as far as video games go yes there are a limited amount of controllers limiting the amount of people who can play. But getting there early gives the kids a better chance at playing. Packing light is an option (I always over-pack) especially since there are inexpensive laundry options. And while you cannot bring your own rafts and such you can bring your own sand toys which I recommend getting from the dollar store so you can toss when the kids are done with them. Overall good tips.

 

[lfishe3]

I totally disagree with the BBQ on CC. DH and I have always loved it. There is a good variety and I think it is definitely worth a try.

 

[MUN]

I believe Enchanted Garden has the buffet. Royal Palace has a sit down breakfast. Not sure what Crystal Palace is...

I believe Crystal Palace is a meth-head motel from Breaking Bad, and a English soccer team.

We have 5 and we love to eat at Cabana's on embarkation day. It has never been too crowded for us. I also love the food at CC. I can't believe someone would recommend skipping eating at CC.

OK, I don't want to be a total "Debbie Downer" concerning OP's advice. I totally agree that the pools can be crazy crowded on embarkation day. However, if you arrive very early on the ship, you may have them to yourselves for a short while.

 

[diznymom]

I believe Enchanted Garden has the buffet. Royal Palace has a sit down breakfast. Not sure what Crystal Palace is...

Crystal Palace is in the Magic Kingdom w/ Winnie the Pooh and his friends. It is a good buffet breakfast to get a jump on the park if you are there super early.

 

[mevelandry]

1. If you have a number of 5 or larger, don't plan on eating breakfast TOGETHER at Cabana's. it's too crowded so go downstairs to Crystal palace...they have enough seating and it's still a buffet.
2. Bring snorkel gear and blow up rafts/noodles! SAVE YOUR $$ it's expensive on Castaway!
3. Stingray adventure on Casteway was worth it! fun for the kids too!!
4. Decorate your door. makes it so much easier for you and your kids to spot!
5. Plan to hit the aqua duck right as it opens or closes!
6. THE POOL is so crowded on sailaway day! don't bother!!! do the detective agency thing with the kids and explore the ship!
7. Our kids were 8 & 10 and they did not like Oceanears Lab! it was so crowded and they didn't want to wait to play with the video games and such...so don't bank on that!
8. DO DRESS UP for pirate it. it's so much fun!
9. No need to order coffee the night before debarkation.... you have to be off the ship by 9:15 and out of your room by 8.
10. DO pack light, you don't need " dressy clothes" and you can wear shorts to dinner! No one will kick you out for wearing shorts but do dress "APPROPRIATELY!"
11. Bring a beach bag. you won't need to bring towels (they are provided) but you'll need something to carry your beach stuff in.
12. BBQ for lunch was not very good...so if you can...eat a big breakfast & skip lunch! your body will thank you later!

10. Works as long as you don't do Remy, I guess?

12. BBQ at Serenity Bay was excellent. It wasn't as good at Cookies though... Have to agree with that.

Good tips.