Room advice on the Dream

[woodynjessiesmomma]

My best friend and I are planning to do our first DCL (first cruise ever) on the Dream in December, 4 day Bahamian. We won't have kids with us and want to try everything. We are huge Disney fans, she is a former College program member from WDW. I'm thinking deck 8 sounds nice, quiet for sleep. I'd like to be an easy walk from everything, but I doubt that exists . We will want to some bar time, but we aren't late night party people. Also, will probably try swimming but I'm not big on pools. I've read so much conflicting info I'm not sure what to do. Mid ship is best, but to crowded, but don't go aft because of vibrations... Forward is too rocky. Higher levels have better service, but stay low since you might get seasick. Does one side or the other have better views? I'm sure these seem like silly questions, but prices are all so close I'm not having an easy time making a choice.

 

[Bishoparc]

We typically stay on deck 9 in an "aft" room but it's about mid way between the midship and aft elevators. We typically use the aft elevators as they usually aren't crowded. The only vibrations we've had (if any) is when docking while the thrusters are on. It hasn't bothered us at all. We've done 9108, 9602, and (midship) 10066. All have been fine.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

My best friend and I are planning to do our first DCL (first cruise ever) on the Dream in December, 4 day Bahamian. We won't have kids with us and want to try everything. We are huge Disney fans, she is a former College program member from WDW. I'm thinking deck 8 sounds nice, quiet for sleep. I'd like to be an easy walk from everything, but I doubt that exists . We will want to some bar time, but we aren't late night party people. Also, will probably try swimming but I'm not big on pools. I've read so much conflicting info I'm not sure what to do. Mid ship is best, but to crowded, but don't go aft because of vibrations... Forward is too rocky. Higher levels have better service, but stay low since you might get seasick. Does one side or the other have better views? I'm sure these seem like silly questions, but prices are all so close I'm not having an easy time making a choice.

Midship is usually best if you are prone to motion sickness, but I've been mid-ship and forward and never had issues with motion sickness in either location. Mid-ship elevators and stairs tend to be more crowded than forward or aft, but that seems to only be an issue on the first day and then right before/after dinner and show times. I've been on decks 7 and 9 on the Fantasy and Dream. I actually preferred deck 7 over deck 9 since it seemed more equal distant from everything: restaurants, theaters, pool deck, spa, etc.

I noticed lots of vibration in the aft of the Fantasy but not as much on the Dream. I think that was because on the Fantasy we were covering greater distances and were going faster. The worst for vibration was when the Fantasy was 2 hours late leaving St. Thomas due to two different medical issues with passengers and we were trying to get to CC on time.

Outside of the concierge level, I've never heard that higher decks have better service than lower levels.

 

[sunshinemelody]

OI, I didn't know any of this! I just put a hold on the same cruise yesterday, but we got aft; midship seems best, but, more money.

Might have to move us midship though as I'm sure my mother has motion sickness, even if it's minor I don't want it to cause a problem.

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

OI, I didn't know any of this! I just put a hold on the same cruise yesterday, but we got aft; midship seems best, but, more money.

Might have to move us midship though as I'm sure my mother has motion sickness, even if it's minor I don't want it to cause a problem.

Oh no! I don't know any of this for sure, I've just been reading too much. Hopefully someone who knows the ships can give us some 1st hand advice.

 

[Oswald the Canuck]

We prefer deck 8 midship. Now we don't take the elevators very often (we use the stairs hoping that this will burn off some of those excess calories from all the yummy food available) and find that deck 8 is the best trade off between going up to the pool deck vs going down to the dining rooms.

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

We prefer deck 8 midship. Now we don't take the elevators very often (we use the stairs hoping that this will burn off some of those excess calories from all the yummy food available) and find that deck 8 is the best trade off between going up to the pool deck vs going down to the dining rooms.

Sounds good to me. I was hoping for a good place, easy to take stairs to most places.

Thanks everyone!

 

[TestingH2O]

We just chose deck 7 for our first non-concierge cruise. We figured that 4 floors up for the pools and 4 floors down for most restaurants was a good balance. We also use the kids clubs, so only being 2 floors away from that was nice.

 

[Quellman]

The ship generally backs into the docks at nassau and castaway cay. A starboard side room will give you a view of Atlantis and a larger island view at Castaway Cay if the ship is indeed backed in.

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

The ship generally backs into the docks at nassau and castaway cay. A starboard side room will give you a view of Atlantis and a larger island view at Castaway Cay if the ship is indeed backed in.

Thanks! Good tip. The TA just came back with room 8048 which is Forward, port, and right by the elevators....

Also do we miss shows or anything by doing a late dinner time? Being two adults the late time is fine, but we do want to see the shows.

 

[TeaBee]

We just chose deck 7 for our first non-concierge cruise. We figured that 4 floors up for the pools and 4 floors down for most restaurants was a good balance. We also use the kids clubs, so only being 2 floors away from that was nice.

We liked deck 7 for the same reason. We pretty much took the stairs everywhere and it seemed like a good mid point.

 

[BarbMike821]

Deck 8! Midship! Starboard side!

where it's at

(I got two turntables and a microphone...)

 

[TeaBee]

Thanks! Good tip. The TA just came back with room 8048 which is Forward, port, and right by the elevators....

Also do we miss shows or anything by doing a late dinner time? Being two adults the late time is fine, but we do want to see the shows.

Nope, you won't miss the shows. They have two show times. You'll go to the shows before your dinner seating while main dining is being served. The main dining folks watch the second showing while late dining is being served.

 

[Trera]

We typically stay on deck 9 in an "aft" room but it's about mid way between the midship and aft elevators. We typically use the aft elevators as they usually aren't crowded. The only vibrations we've had (if any) is when docking while the thrusters are on. It hasn't bothered us at all. We've done 9108, 9602, and (midship) 10066. All have been fine.

We agree with this. Also like starboard side of the boat for the best views of castaways cay.

 

[TeaBee]

Deck 8! Midship! Starboard side!

where it's at

(I got two turntables and a microphone...)

I'd like you to know that my children are furious with you since that song is now in my head and I've been singing it to them since you posted it.

 

[Quellman]

Thanks! Good tip. The TA just came back with room 8048 which is Forward, port, and right by the elevators....

Also do we miss shows or anything by doing a late dinner time? Being two adults the late time is fine, but we do want to see the shows.

I will mention this, if you plan on spending time on the verandah and need the sunshine, either for tanning, what whatever, the port side sees more sunlight than the starboard side. This is something I noticed recently in February. The sun would have made it a bit warmer for us.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I will mention this, if you plan on spending time on the verandah and need the sunshine, either for tanning, what whatever, the port side sees more sunlight than the starboard side. This is something I noticed recently in February. The sun would have made it a bit warmer for us.

Wouldn't one side of the ship receive more sun for only half the cruise, then the other side would get more sun?

 

[Quellman]

Wouldn't one side of the ship receive more sun for only half the cruise, then the other side would get more sun?

Generally yes. But on Bahama cruises it plays out differently.
The embarkation day, starboard sees more sun since it faces northwest while in port. Then it steams south, but generally the first day is run around doing stuff so you aren't spending much time in your room.
The second day, the ship is ported in Nassau such that starboard is generally facing the North direction (assuming the ship backs in). This side of the ship will not see much sun at all during the day, so if you want to chill outside on your verandah, you might be a bit shaded.
After departure, the ship sails north for a spell (so your room will face East, not the setting sun) and then may orient depending on if there are fireworks that night.
At Castaway Cay, again the ship backs in and your room faces northwest. Since we are north of the equator, the starboard side will remain in the shadows longer. As the ship pulls out its immediate heading will depend on if there are fireworks or a day at sea coming up. But as you steam north towards Cape Canaveral, port side again faces east.

Now on much longer cruises, like the 7 day Caribbean the ship will see much more parity with the sun direction and balcony concerns.