Pools on the Dream

[Twitterpaited]

I have heard that it is challenging to find and keep seats near the pools on the ships. But, how are the pools themselves, especially for kids?

 

[mevelandry]

I have heard that it is challenging to find and keep seats near the pools on the ships. But, how are the pools themselves, especially for kids?

I call them "children soup". Usually overcrowded. I've seen "standing room only" as well. I've never been able to swim in one of the main pool (and honestly, I don't wanna).

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have heard that it is challenging to find and keep seats near the pools on the ships. But, how are the pools themselves, especially for kids?

A couple of shots of the pools on the Dream (now the first is during the sailaway, so pretty crowded, anyway; the second just a random day onboard):

 

[apathetic]

If there is one big lie about cruising (probably all lines) it's the pictures of the pools. They always look so fun in the ads. Fact is, they are always full and you don't actually swim. You stand around in your bubble. If they put what they actually look like in the ads, nobody would look forward to the pools.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The kids don't actually care, on the whole, though.

The adult area is quieter if you are, of course, an adult.

 

[Dug720]

Also, you don’t say how old your kids are, but they need to be potty trained. Swim diapers are not allowed.

 

[Twitterpaited]

Also, you don’t say how old your kids are, but they need to be potty trained. Swim diapers are not allowed.

They will be 7, 6, and 3 when we cruise. The 3 year old should be potty trained by then.

 

[Dug720]

They will be 7, 6, and 3 when we cruise. The 3 year old should be potty trained by then.

If using being able to swim as incentive helps, by all means. Because they are serious about no swim diapers. And an accident will shut the pool down for cleaning.

 

[TrishaK]

My daughter was 7 the last time we cruised. She enjoyed putting on a life vest and floating in the deeper of the two pools and watching movies.

 

[hcox31]

We don't even attempt to use them during the day, especially on a sea day. We like to go swimming after dinner. There is barely anyone swimming and it's all lit up and no line for the aqua duck!

 

[Twitterpaited]

If using being able to swim as incentive helps, by all means. Because they are serious about no swim diapers. And an accident will shut the pool down for cleaning.

The incentive is actually being able to go in the Oceaneer Club for the Star Wars activities with his big brother and sister.

 

[Dug720]

The incentive is actually being able to go in the Oceaneer Club for the Star Wars activities with his big brother and sister.

So the pool will be a bonus.

 

[phins_jazy]

wow...that looks crowded! Eek!

 

[MonaMN]

Those pictures look like our experience too. But DD still loved it. Just stood in the water/hung onto the side and watched the movies.

 

[mevelandry]

A couple of shots of the pools on the Dream (now the first is during the sailaway, so pretty crowded, anyway; the second just a random day onboard):

View attachment 366808 View attachment 366809

It's actually not as bad as what I saw on our first cruise.

(On this same cruise, in the afternoon on Nassau day, the Aquaduck had 45 minutes wait).

 

[Spiffy MacSpiff]

Timing is everything. I don't let my kids near the pools on sea days, but there are days/times when they're not crowded at all:

 

[KashasMom]

The kids don't actually care, on the whole, though.

The adult area is quieter if you are, of course, an adult.

Actually some do. It's a big part of cruising for my daughter. Disney pools are small - almost always packed - and there really is only 1 pool for older kids. The lack of decent pools on DCL is probably my biggest complaint about them.

 

[mcd2745]

The lack of decent pools on DCL is probably my biggest complaint bout them.

Same here. And it's not just the pools themselves, it's the hours they are open. They are closed far too much. There is no valid reason for them to close as early as they do every night.

 

[dnllmz]

Pools were very small. I don't know if this is the norm but the pools shut down frequently during the day on our cruise. We just cruised this month.

 

[hcox31]

Pools were very small. I don't know if this is the norm but the pools shut down frequently during the day on our cruise. We just cruised this month.

Its' the norm when people allow non toilet trained kids in the pool and they have to clean up messes...