Row row row your boat! July 28, 2013 on the Dream!

[briayakik]

officially a month until we're on the cruise
hope everyone is as excited as i am.

 

[ree1064]

I am elated!!

I can't hold ot back!!!!

 

[scrapycruiser]

FE Participants : Try to come to our Meet and Greet, 3:30 D Lounge !
I want to pass out my FE gifts...one thing you might need the first day..hint
Otherwise, I'll deliver them that evening

Two of my Grandchildren are coming the 12th for a visit.
So I' m very excited about that and the cruise !!!!!!!!

 

[ree1064]

Now that I have the summer off,
I WANT TO PACK NOW for my trip three weeks from now........
YIKES!!!!!
I hope I do not forget anything for the cruise...........
There is so much we want to do while on the DREAM.......
I know it may be difficult to do so in such a short period of time, but.......at least one ride on AQUA DUCK is a MUST!
Doing PALO brunch with hubby.
Swim-up adult bar in pool.........
One nice family pic together on semi-formal nite!
Last time we were on CASTAWAY....it was a washout....hope that it doesn't happen this time.
Did I leave anything out?????/
Oh yeah we are spending two nights at BAY LAKE TOWER prior to cruise.......EXCITED ABOUT THAT!

 

[scrapycruiser]

Correction
Hubby won't let me bring my FE gifts to the Meet and Greet !
He says it'll spoil the fun.... Ok, maybe he's right
So I'll be passing them out the first night

All my FE's are packed and ready to go !!
Now to pack the rest !

 

[IndyMouseFan]

Good morning everyone!! Just stopping by to share the countdown excitement!!! 4 weeks from today, we are boarding - and meeting at 3:30 -- YAHOO!!!

Scrapycruiser, I have a question for you. I LOVE my coffee in the morning. (One of my friends calls me a "high maintenance coffee drinker!") Do they serve cream/ half-and-half for coffee on the ship? I really do not like the powdered stuff at all. I'm wondering if I should try to bring the packaged cream with me?

Hope you all have a great day!!!

 

[scrapycruiser]

Good morning everyone!! Just stopping by to share the countdown excitement!!! 4 weeks from today, we are boarding - and meeting at 3:30 -- YAHOO!!!

Scrapycruiser, I have a question for you. I LOVE my coffee in the morning. (One of my friends calls me a "high maintenance coffee drinker!") Do they serve cream/ half-and-half for coffee on the ship? I really do not like the powdered stuff at all. I'm wondering if I should try to bring the packaged cream with me?

Hope you all have a great day!!!

Hi Indy !
They have the individual Coffeemate creamers but I bring my own. I like hazelnut. Btw, if you love coffee, grab a real cup at the Cove Cafe, pool deck forward before heading to Cabanas (aft) for breakfast. I do not like the coffee in Cabanas but its ok when I add my hazelnut.
Also, Vista Cafe on deck 4 (right above lobby) has coffee . you can get a punch card that's good also for Cove Cafe. And they're good on future cruises if you don't use it up on this cruise. Also, they both have Free pastries. Very much like Starbucks

 

[ree1064]

Where do I get the coffee punch cards?
My DH has a hard time getting his day stsrted without a very strong cup of joe. I do not......once awake, good to go! 4 weeks.from today we will be driving from WDW, after having breakfast at Roaring Forks at Wilderness...but we are staying at BLT!!
What time does everyone have for port arrival?
3:30 DLounge! Martini too toast?

 

[scrapycruiser]

Where do I get the coffee punch cards?
My DH has a hard time getting his day stsrted without a very strong cup of joe. I do not......once awake, good to go! 4 weeks.from today we will be driving from WDW, after having breakfast at Roaring Forks at Wilderness...but we are staying at BLT!!
What time does everyone have for port arrival?
3:30 DLounge! Martini too toast?

Just ask for one at the Cove Cafe or Vista Cafe.
I'll be toasting with a Bahamas Mama
We're Platinum, so we don't have a certain boarding time. Nice thing about being Platinum

 

[ree1064]

We are doing our best to get to that platinum level!!!
I believe this cruise is filled with many first timers.....
Thoughts?

 

[IndyMouseFan]

Hi Indy !
They have the individual Coffeemate creamers but I bring my own. I like hazelnut. Btw, if you love coffee, grab a real cup at the Cove Cafe, pool deck forward before heading to Cabanas (aft) for breakfast. I do not like the coffee in Cabanas but its ok when I add my hazelnut.
Also, Vista Cafe on deck 4 (right above lobby) has coffee . you can get a punch card that's good also for Cove Cafe. And they're good on future cruises if you don't use it up on this cruise. Also, they both have Free pastries. Very much like Starbucks

It is SO good to have our own cruise director/expert on our thread!!

Thanks for the info -- I've added my coffee cream to my packing list.

Now, to return to regular life for a few more days before vacation.

 

[IndyMouseFan]

What time does everyone have for port arrival?

Hi Ree!

We got 11:00 for port arrival (I logged in as soon as I could on day 75 to request it -- I got brunch at Palo as well!).

Looking forward to meeting you at the D-lounge 4 weeks from today!!

 

[scrapycruiser]

We are doing our best to get to that platinum level!!!
I believe this cruise is filled with many first timers.....
Thoughts?

Sorry, just saw your question.
I love first timers ! The excitement in their faces take me back to my first cruise ! There's more first timers on the shorter cruises. Probably testing the waters, excuse the pun. I love answering questions on these boards for those new to cruising.

So if anyone has any ,just ask. I'll try to help.

Another thought...first time cruisers tend to be a lot less critical and demanding. Which is refreshing

 

[ree1064]

Scrapy.......

I totally agree!
U r a DVC member, too?
This is our fourth cruise on points.....
My DD(heyitsliana) is happier cruising and has oir next one all planned out.
We will be at sign up desk while on board. Lol
27 days!!!!!
I wish the first timers knew about this thread!!!!
Rina

 

[scrapycruiser]

Indy, looks like we'll be neighbors on the cruise.
We're in 8668

 

[ree1064]

7554.........u must come and check out our door decorations as we will yours.....27 days....NASSAU!

 

[scrapycruiser]

7554.........u must come and check out our door decorations as we will yours.....27 days....NASSAU!

I love to look at the doors ! Yes, we have been DVC members since 2001.Our home base is the Beach Club Villas and the Wilderness Lodge. We have booked an inside cabin on the Alaska cruise next year, all on points. We plan to book a Med cruise for 2015 while on board. Hopefully we can save up for airfare and shore excursions by then

We are excited to see our favorite server, Mario Bonilla ! We've been lucky to have had him the last 2 cruises on the Dream!! The kids call him Super Mario. We requested to have him again. Keeping my fingers crossed

 

[scrapycruiser]

Cruise tips

Navigators, daily schedule arrives every night in your cabin. You'll get one as you board the ship for the first day. You can get extra copies at Guest Services. Bring a highlighter to mark what you plan on doing.

Room Service- Free except for canned sodas, bottled water and alcohol. We keep several $1's in the desk drawer for tips. The wine and cheese platter is popular, also Mickey Bars, chocolate chip cookies & milk

Get to the princess autograph sessions 15-20 min early ;
photographers will also take pictures with your camera

Sea Day... Pools are very crowded. Grab some loungers early in morning. Bring swim suits in your carry-on for swimming the first day. You can't get in your room until
1-1:30 .


Don't hesitate to ask your Cabin Host for anything. Different pillows, cork screw, extra shampoo, ICE ( yes I've noticed recently you have to request ICE to be delivered daily ) diaper genie, Pack n Play, etc. they aim to please !

Palo Brunch....warning, don't eat anything prior to your reservation. Save plenty of room

Castaway Cay.. We get off the second tram stop..... Our favorite place to hang out. First stop usually crowded. Second stop near bar, restrooms, gift shop and LUNCH !

Nassau & Castaway Cay...there's tons of towels as you walk off the gangway no need to bring your own

Kids Clubs... It's best to get to know the staff and other kids the first night .while everyone is new to the cruise. My Grandchildren love the clubs, from Oceanears to the Teen hangout.

"D" Lounge...Family nightclub with trivia, karaoke, quiz show game, dancing.

Adult Pool & hot tub...enjoy while the kids are having fun in their clubs.
But, go early if you want a lounger facing the ocean.

Rainforest Spa...my husband enjoys this. Get a day pass or a 4-day pass and go whenever and stay as long as you like.

Dining... Kids can order off the adult menu if they like
Sometimes I order dessert off the kids menu...like Mickey Bars !

Don't forget free fountain sodas on pool deck, but if you order can sodas in the dining room or from room service, you pay.

Drink of the Day, if you order it in a regular glass you'll pay less than if you get a souvenir glass. Wherever you purchase a drink, you're free to take it anywhere on the ship...to your cabin or the theater.

 

[ree1064]

Scrapy.....

We too members since 2001....own at Wilderness/Beach Club amd Saratoga Springs-Treehouse.
We have no points for 2014...we did 2- weekend getaways out of NY last year......
We will pay cash and do an inside.....with video porthole.
I haven't met anyone personally yet, but just being here with guys.....O'hana!!!

 

[seidelhd]

Sorry, just saw your question.
I love first timers ! The excitement in their faces take me back to my first cruise ! There's more first timers on the shorter cruises. Probably testing the waters, excuse the pun. I love answering questions on these boards for those new to cruising.

So if anyone has any ,just ask. I'll try to help.

Another thought...first time cruisers tend to be a lot less critical and demanding. Which is refreshing

We are first-timers with DCL. My wife and I haven't been on a cruise in 15 years since our honeymoon. Kids have never seen such a big ship, much less been on one.

We consider ourselves WDW experts but total newbies for DCL, so I'm enjoying reading all the comments and tips. My wife has ordered a bunch of stuff off Etsy (door magnets, matching shirts, etc.).

A couple quick questions:
1) Can the kids wear dress shorts in the dining rooms for dinner or is it long pants/skirts/dresses for everyone?
2) About how many beach wheelchairs are available at CC? My DD12 is disabled and in a wheelchair. I'm planning on running the CC 5K, so I won't be able to get off the ship as soon as we dock to snag one.
3) Our boarding time is 12:30-1:00. About what time should we get to the port? We are driving down the day before and staying at a nearby hotel.
4) What type of outfits for pirate night? Do people go all out or just wear a bandana and an eye patch?

I know I'll have a ton more questions over the next few weeks, but those are the ones for tonight. We look forward to meeting y'all in the D-lounge! It will be here before we know it.