October 20, 2012, Disney Fantasy, Eastern Caribbean-Who's with us?

[INDY1919A4]

Was looking at the photos from TheTXTaylors5 And where as I do like the Dreams and I am sure Fantasy... Sure do miss the Magic.. There is a side of me that likes the lines of the Old Magic/Wonder style Ships better

 

[Renysmom]

I think we had Captain Tom on the Magic when we did the Eastern itinerary a few years ago.

Is this Captain Tom w/my family???

This was our Cruise Director, Brent. (I remember his name! )

OMG Look how little the kids are in these pictures.

 

[Renysmom]

Was looking at the photos from TheTXTaylors5 And where as I do like the Dreams and I am sure Fantasy... Sure do miss the Magic.. There is a side of me that likes the lines of the Old Magic/Wonder style Ships better

When we were on the Dream last year we compared and compared. I understand exactly what you are saying. There is just something about those ships. The Magic to me will always be my favorite.

 

[EvaSue]

That IS Captain Tom! And Brent was one of my top 3 favorites for sure.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Last year, we were stubborn and just had to sail on the new Dream. This October cruise was too far away and we wanted to see the new ship for ourselves. Having sailed on the Magic and Wonder, I thought the Dream was going to "be the same" only larger. Well, I was clearly wrong . . .

From the moment I stepped onboard, I knew this was going to be a Disney cruise like no other (some good and some bad). My first clue of "We're not in Kansas anymore" was the clientele. I was used to well-behaved (kids & adults) on our previous Disney cruises. I was appalled at the way the people dressed on this cruise, cursed openly in public with children all around and were pushy and downright rude.

The Dream is huge (as is the Fantasy)!!! I kept a ship map with me at all times (thanks to the recommendation of friends who had sailed on her before us). I recommend y'all grab a map of the Fantasy in the terminal pre-embarkation or familiarize yourself with the layout beforehand. There are all kinds of maps online to browse/print. (Fantasy deck plan HERE.) I was soooooo lost on the Dream and had to keep referencing my map. Things just weren't where I was used to them on the Magic and Wonder or they weren't where I would have thought they would be. I just started to get my bearing on where everything was and soon we were embarking.

Don't get me wrong, there were many, many good things about our experience too. Our kids love the kids' clubs, the ship is beautiful inside and out, our stateroom host and waitstaff were excellent and I love the new AP. But, those will also be on the new Fantasy.

For being such a large ship with little time to explore and due to the people we encountered, we will NEVER sail on the Dream again. Thank goodness, the Fantasy is doing the longer itineraries and we can take our time to enjoy her and the clientele that paid top $ to sail on her will honestly appreciate her. That is what kind of irked me the most on our Dream cruise. The guests weren't "Disney-people" and didn't seem to "appreciate" the ship.

 

[glenpreece]

I have a question about formal night. I hate to dress up tie etc. I don't dress like a slob just not a dress up type of guy and my friend Kevin has to dress up for work everyday so he's not into dressing up while on vacay. Can we skip formal night??? What exactly does it entail?? He gets mad when I won't let him wear a t-shirt to the castle for breakfast LOL

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I have a question about formal night. I hate to dress up tie etc. I don't dress like a slob just not a dress up type of guy and my friend Kevin has to dress up for work everyday so he's not into dressing up while on vacay. Can we skip formal night??? What exactly does it entail?? He gets made when I won't let him wear a t-shirt to the castle for breakfast LOL

First, this is your vacation and you should dress comfortably. Disney Cruise Line is pretty lenient on the main dining room dress code. They do have a "recommended" evening attire theme for the main dining rooms. But, it is not required or honestly enforced. As long as you don't attend formal night in a bathing suit or ripped t-shirt, you should be fine. Some people dress-up, some dress business casual and some even in casual-wear. Personally, I would try and make an effort to dress "at least" business casual on formal night. JMHO

The only onboard restaurants that have a strict dress code are Palo & Remy.

 

[disney1990]

There are people that don't dress up for formal night. If you DH would be open to wearing long pants and a button up shirt, he should be find. You can just go with a dress or nice pants and a top. Nobody will say anything - it's your vacation, enjoy it.

 

[glenpreece]

On my first/last disney cruise I went to dinner in my pirate gear and felt like a fool since only one other person in our group did that. We didn't realize there was time between dinner and the Pirate Party. LOL

 

[JOANNEL]

We are not dresser uppers. I usually wear black pants and a nice top and DH in dockers and a button down or polo. We also have pirate t-shirts. Wear what ever is comfortable. One time we had a family sitting with us who came in and asked us if we minded them in shorts on formal night. He had fallen asleep in the sun and was burnt on the back of his legs and couldn't wear his pants. We offered to go back and change too if he felt more comfortable. So it's your vacation enjoy!!!

 

[Renysmom]

Last year, we were stubborn and just had to sail on the new Dream. This October cruise was too far away and we wanted to see the new ship for ourselves. Having sailed on the Magic and Wonder, I thought the Dream was going to "be the same" only larger. Well, I was clearly wrong . . .

From the moment I stepped onboard, I knew this was going to be a Disney cruise like no other (some good and some bad). My first clue of "We're not in Kansas anymore" was the clientele. I was used to well-behaved (kids & adults) on our previous Disney cruises. I was appalled at the way the people dressed on this cruise, cursed openly in public with children all around and were pushy and downright rude.

The Dream is huge (as is the Fantasy)!!! I kept a ship map with me at all times (thanks to the recommendation of friends who had sailed on her before us). I recommend y'all grab a map of the Fantasy in the terminal pre-embarkation or familiarize yourself with the layout beforehand. There are all kinds of maps online to browse/print. (Fantasy deck plan HERE.) I was soooooo lost on the Dream and had to keep referencing my map. Things just weren't where I was used to them on the Magic and Wonder or they weren't where I would have thought they would be. I just started to get my bearing on where everything was and soon we were embarking.

Don't get me wrong, there were many, many good things about our experience too. Our kids love the kids' clubs, the ship is beautiful inside and out, our stateroom host and waitstaff were excellent and I love the new AP. But, those will also be on the new Fantasy.

For being such a large ship with little time to explore and due to the people we encountered, we will NEVER sail on the Dream again. Thank goodness, the Fantasy is doing the longer itineraries and we can take our time to enjoy her and the clientele that paid top $ to sail on her will honestly appreciate her. That is what kind of irked me the most on our Dream cruise. The guests weren't "Disney-people" and didn't seem to "appreciate" the ship.

Interesting... We didn't have any of those issues with the passengers or kids on the Dream. We learned our way around very quickly, by the next morning we were getting around not needing a map. You mention Jen you loved the new AP. We hated it and we haven't decided if we will do Nemo night or not. Difference may be we travel without kids and you had yours with you so different experiences from the start.

 

[Renysmom]

I have a question about formal night. I hate to dress up tie etc. I don't dress like a slob just not a dress up type of guy and my friend Kevin has to dress up for work everyday so he's not into dressing up while on vacay. Can we skip formal night??? What exactly does it entail?? He gets mad when I won't let him wear a t-shirt to the castle for breakfast LOL

I am in the thought group that one should dress for Formal night. I was raised to always dress in accordance with what is requested of you by your host or you are being rude. Sorry just the way I was raised and I won't change my opinion. "I" think that one should either dress as requested or skip the MDR and eat in Cabanas (you will get table service and some of the same menu items as the MDR's). With that said, Tux's aren't required for formal night but formal does require men in jacket of some type and ladies in a dress, skirt or suite.

The only onboard restaurant that has a strict dress code is Remy.

Palo is also very strict on their dress code and will make you change if you are not dressed accordingly.

 

[sunshine1259]

Ok, we are all paid up, for a few days now, and finally have flights booked. Booked for a great price, too; $317.20 per person and we added insurance for $22. per person, so the final total per person was less than $340.00 !!!

We have Palo dinner, but no brunch. We will have to book that on the ship. And I don't think that we are going to do any excursions right now. I just want to enjoy the ship and time with my family and friends.

SO NOW THIS CRUISE SEEMS MORE REAL !!

On another note, we still need more rooms for the cabin crawl. If you are interested, please let me know so that I can add you to the list.

And finally, do we want to schedule more meets other than the first one!

 

[sunshine1259]

I am in the thought group that one should dress for Formal night. I was raised to always dress in accordance with what is requested of you by your host or you are being rude. Sorry just the way I was raised and I won't change my opinion. "I" think that one should either dress as requested or skip the MDR and eat in Cabanas (you will get table service and some of the same menu items as the MDR's). With that said, Tux's aren't required for formal night but formal does require men in jacket of some type and ladies in a dress, skirt or suite.



Palo is also very strict on their dress code and will make you change if you are not dressed accordingly.

I agree with you, Kelly, 100%. That is how I was raised as well.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Palo is also very strict on their dress code and will make you change if you are not dressed accordingly.

You are correct. Now, I remember Pete's rant about "shorts" . . .

Dress Code
At Palo, dress pants and shirt or jacket is required for men and a dress or pantsuit is required for women. Please no jeans, shorts, capri pants, flip-flops or tennis shoes.
(Above from the Disney Cruise Line website.)

 

[Renysmom]

I am in the thought group that one should dress for Formal night. I was raised to always dress in accordance with what is requested of you by your host or you are being rude. Sorry just the way I was raised and I won't change my opinion. "I" think that one should either dress as requested or skip the MDR and eat in Cabanas (you will get table service and some of the same menu items as the MDR's). With that said, Tux's aren't required for formal night but formal does require men in jacket of some type and ladies in a dress, skirt or suite.



Palo is also very strict on their dress code and will make you change if you are not dressed accordingly.

I should have added that on our 4 day cruise we didn't do formal night and did in fact eat in Cabanas. Don't want folks to think I don't stand by what I think LOL

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

On my first/last disney cruise I went to dinner in my pirate gear and felt like a fool since only one other person in our group did that. We didn't realize there was time between dinner and the Pirate Party. LOL

I've seen people in their pirate gear at dinner. Not too many, but "some". I usually wear my POTC t-shirt and Bill (DH) wears his Jack Sparrow costume. To be honest, if someone doesn't do any research before the cruise, they may not even know there is a Pirate Night beforehand and not come prepared. Now with The Pirates League onboard, you may see MORE people dressed up for Pirate Night!

 

[Renysmom]

Several pages back someone asked about what one does after they are paid in full while they wait for the cruise and I mentioned that we research the flip cruise in case our cruise at the last minute must change from (in this case) Eastern to Western.

This is exactly what has happened today. An entire ship of Fantasy passengers are arriving in Orlando tonight to find out that their western in now an eastern due to the tropical storm/possible hurricane in the gulf.

Many of these passengers are now hitting the boards hard, in total panic, trying to figure out what excursions and such they now need to book when they get on the ship tomorrow. Don't do this to yourselves. Take some time over the next several weeks to look at what excursions are offered on the western A & B itineraries and discuss among your traveling mates what you want to do if our cruise were to be flipped at the last minute. This way you get on board, grab a sail away drink, hit guest services and walk away all stress free. Wouldn't that be nice

We already know exactly what we would do if we go to the Grand Caymans and Cozumel. If nothing else, you could get excited enough to book a western while on the ship. (We actually already have our Western booked for 2013).

Just thought I would share.

 

[Joanna71985]

That stinks that itineraries are being switched (at least it's still Disney though).

 

[Renysmom]

That stinks that itineraries are being switched (at least it's still Disney though).

Sure does but there is always a chance which is why I am the over planner and prepare for it LOL