Sept 13, 2012 Dream to the Bahamas

[mom+3girls]

Right now, we are trying to realistically plan for our expenses--gas, a hotel stay on the way down, tips while on the cruise, and WDW. After that, I will start packing pretty soon. That will make it feel more real! How about you?

I know what you mean, DD and I are driving down as well from Virginia, and I keep searching for a hotel, I just need to decide if I want to drive all the way on Wednesday or if I was to drive to Jacksonville or daytona and drive the rest of the way Thursday morning.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I know what you mean, DD and I are driving down as well from Virginia, and I keep searching for a hotel, I just need to decide if I want to drive all the way on Wednesday or if I was to drive to Jacksonville or daytona and drive the rest of the way Thursday morning.

We usually stay somewhere on the way down and then drive back in one day on the way back. Because we are going to WDW before the cruise, we want to get there as early as possible. We always used to stay in Savannah, but we've been staying closer to the GA/FL border the past couple of years. It gives us that much of a shorter trip the next day. Jacksonville is just out of our range based on when we get on the road (late afternoon), but we talk about staying there one year!

 

[mom+3girls]

I have an 18 yr old son who will be w/us on our cruise. Our younger two are 13 & 11 so I'm sure my older one would like to have someone to hang out with closer to his age. This is our last family vacation for a while. When we get back our ds is enlisting in the Army.

We also have an inside room (2 actually). I didn't trust my younger two w/a room w/a balcony.

I've told me daughter about your son. She will be the one at the adult pool that looks like she is 12.

 

[mom+3girls]

51 days until we set sail.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

As we continue to estimate out-of-pocket costs for our trip, I thought I'd share a friendly reminder about the policy change for tips aboard the Dream:

GRATUITIES

Gratuities will be automatically charged to your onboard account upon check-in at the port. Guest still have the option to modify or add additional gratuity amounts, or pay in cash, by stopping by the Guest Services Desk onboard.

Per Guest per cruise 3-Night
Dining Room Server $12.00
Dining Room Asst. Server $9.00
Dining Room Head Server $3.00
Stateroom Host/Hostess $12.00

Please note, a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs. All gratuities can be charged to your room charge. (At the Walt Disney World Resort, 15% is the customary gratuity at restaurants and bars.)

 

[yolie912]

Hello,
We just booked this cruise with a fantastic FL Resident rate!
Me, hubby, son (11) and daughter (6)!
Can't wait!

What is everyone doing in Castaway Cay?

 

[mom+3girls]

Hello,
We just booked this cruise with a fantastic FL Resident rate!
Me, hubby, son (11) and daughter (6)!
Can't wait!

What is everyone doing in Castaway Cay?

Welcome aboard!
My daughter and I are going to go to the adult beach since this is the first time she is old enough to go over there. She is very excited to go as an adult.

 

[mom2Kyle]

Hey everyone!
I was looking to see who all is around, looks like we have several families with kids, and I think a meet up is a great idea! The time discussed was 3 & we have two different locations, deck 13 & deck 14. Anyone want to nail this down? I've never cruised before so I have no clue which is a better locale.

Also, Fish extender (FE) gift exchanges are still open & we'd love to have a few more cabins join in! Doesn't have to be anything really elaborate, just a fun way to say hi and add a touch more magic to your cruise! Please let me know if you want to join us, there is already a post detailing the info I need (#52), or you can pm or email me privately & I'll tell ya what we need. yu_annette@yahoo.com


45 days & counting down!!!!!

 

[mom2Kyle]

Hi again!
Just sent out messages to everyone on this thread about the FE exchange & the Meet-up (except those whom I've already contacted).
Please post a reply if you didn't get something from me or if you did & don't want to. Not trying to be a pest, just want to make sure everyone has a chance to participate.

Working soooo hard to get this vacation ready!

Annette

 

[schimj]

Hi everyone! DW (TiffanyD on the boards) & I (both early 30s, no kids...the puppy is enough!!!) just put in for a quote for this sailing with the great FL Res rates! Still trying to figure out if we want do do the FE since it is getting close and we'd like to keep expenses down on this sailing. this will be #9 for both of us, 2nd on the Dream. I hope to catch up on the thread later and meet you all on the ship!

 

[TifffanyD]

Hi all! As schimj said, we are gonna join y'all! Waiting to get everything squared away - but our great TA over at DU said she's made the reservation for us! YIPPEE!!!!!

 

[TifffanyD]

Hey everyone!
I was looking to see who all is around, looks like we have several families with kids, and I think a meet up is a great idea! The time discussed was 3 & we have two different locations, deck 13 & deck 14. Anyone want to nail this down? I've never cruised before so I have no clue which is a better locale.

Also, Fish extender (FE) gift exchanges are still open & we'd love to have a few more cabins join in! Doesn't have to be anything really elaborate, just a fun way to say hi and add a touch more magic to your cruise! Please let me know if you want to join us, there is already a post detailing the info I need (#52), or you can pm or email me privately & I'll tell ya what we need. yu_annette@yahoo.com


45 days & counting down!!!!!

What's the deadline for signing up for the FE?

 

[Cruisefanattic87]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for mentioning the Florida Resident rates. I just called to see if it can still be applied to guests that have already booked and I got a great deal AND upgrade. We are now trying to get a final count and word on the FE and meeting site. Please read the posts right above yours. Send an email to Mom2Kyle because she is taking to count. 44 days left!

 

[TifffanyD]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for mentioning the Florida Resident rates. I just called to see if it can still be applied to guests that have already booked and I got a great deal AND upgrade. We are now trying to get a final count and word on the FE and meeting site. Please read the posts right above yours. Send an email to Mom2Kyle because she is taking to count. 44 days left!

WAY TO GO on the savings!!! We had to cancel/rebook so I am glad they were able to credit and upgrade you!

I did read the posts but I didn't see a deadline... not sure if we are going to be able to get things together on such short notice so that's why I was wondering about the sign-up deadline. I looked in post #52 and didn't see a date in there either. I might be staring right at it and not seeing it, though.

 

[schimj]

Hey everyone!
I was looking to see who all is around, looks like we have several families with kids, and I think a meet up is a great idea! The time discussed was 3 & we have two different locations, deck 13 & deck 14. Anyone want to nail this down? I've never cruised before so I have no clue which is a better locale.

Also, Fish extender (FE) gift exchanges are still open & we'd love to have a few more cabins join in! Doesn't have to be anything really elaborate, just a fun way to say hi and add a touch more magic to your cruise! Please let me know if you want to join us, there is already a post detailing the info I need (#52), or you can pm or email me privately & I'll tell ya what we need. yu_annette@yahoo.com


45 days & counting down!!!!!

DW & I did some brainstorming last night, and we decided to sign up for the FE. You [mom2kyle] should have a PM from me with our details for the FE list. We're really looking forward to this cruise...it's hard to believe that we went from not having a cruise booked until December to having one booked for a month and a half away on the spur of the moment. Gotta love FL Resident rates

 

[mom+3girls]

I am so excited, my DD and I worked on our Fish Extender last night. She and I are crafters, so we took an old pair of Mickey blue jean bibbed overalls and cut them up and used the pockets as uhhhh well pockets, the pockets already had a Mickey head design in them. Both of us love to take old clothes and change them into something else so this was just a neat way to do something we love.

 

[TifffanyD]

I am so excited, my DD and I worked on our Fish Extender last night. She and I are crafters, so we took an old pair of Mickey blue jean bibbed overalls and cut them up and used the pockets as uhhhh well pockets, the pockets already had a Mickey head design in them. Both of us love to take old clothes and change them into something else so this was just a neat way to do something we love.

That sounds so cute - I can't wait to see it!

We just signed up (for the cruise and FE)... and it seems the group is really small! That is going to be an adjustment for us!

 

[erin.w]

My friend and I just booked this cruise with the amazing fl resident discount! Excited for the weekend getaway!!

 

[mom+3girls]

My friend and I just booked this cruise with the amazing fl resident discount! Excited for the weekend getaway!!

welcome aboard

 

[TifffanyD]

My friend and I just booked this cruise with the amazing fl resident discount! Excited for the weekend getaway!!

Welcome - we did the same!! So are you from FL or CT?