Spring Break 2011 on the DREAM

[gunghomom]

Yes, I am all for a 39 forever celebration!

 

[Kate716]

You're turning 40 too?! Yahoo! We should make it a party. We will be a group of 40 yr young (and beautiful) women! That would be fun to get-together for a little 40th celebration.

Turning 40 on or near the cruise, so far we have:
GungHoMom
ESBrick
ChernabogFam (me-Kellie)

Who else is celebrating turning 40 on this cruise? Kate716?

I'm a late '72 baby so I still have just under 2 years until 40 but my hubby turns the big 4-0 late next month. He'll be celebrating while we're onboard. (And I'll help!)

 

[rachelsmom97]

You're turning 40 too?! Yahoo! We should make it a party. We will be a group of 40 yr young (and beautiful) women! That would be fun to get-together for a little 40th celebration.

Turning 40 on or near the cruise, so far we have:
GungHoMom
ESBrick
ChernabogFam (me-Kellie)

Who else is celebrating turning 40 on this cruise? Kate716?

I am celebrating my 50th on this trip. It sounds like there is going to be quite the Birthday crowd on the Dream. We are also celebrating our
15th Wedding anniversary. I got our couples massage booked, but could not get Palo Brunch. I told my husband that we have to get to Port early so we can try for that coveted brunch reservation!

I just found some information on the Chill Spa and gave it to my 13yr old DD. She is trying to figure out what treatment she wants as they all sound great.

March 27th can't come soon enough!!!!!!

 

[JackNMel]

Been there, done that 40th birthday thing, but hubby and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary on the ship! Sounds like lots of celebrating going on! It sure is getting close!!

 

[MinnesotaMouse]

Hello everyone,

We are booking this cruise today! I think we got the last stateroom available, but I'm not sure. I just know it wasn't easy to find a 4-night cruise on the Dream in February or March! We want so badly to escape this awful Minnesota winter we've been having. This is will be our fifth Disney cruise, but the very FIRST cruise without the kids along! My teenagers are not happy that we're checking out the "Dream" without them, but I figure they will get over it.

Anyway, I'm just checking in.....tonight I will go back and read this entire thread. I have so much to learn yet about the Dream....never thought we would be on board so soon.

 

[Mean Queen]

Congrats MinnesotaMouse on getting on the cruise! I'm sure you'll get over leaving the kids behind, let's hope they do.

 

[JackNMel]

Welcome MinnesotaMouse!! I bet you are ready to get some Florida weather!!

I have started working on my FE gifts, and it is getting me excited about the cruise!! I have also been lurking around reading about the CM Dream cruise, I can't wait to get aboard the Dream and check it out!! Everything sounds so amazing. It is hard to believe it is only 2 months away. Hope it gets here fast!! Have a great week everyone!!

 

[dceks cruisers]

MinnesotaMouse...we're from MN too and I know EXACTLY what you're talking about with all this snow! We are counting the days to fly out of this snow globe and be in warmer weather!

To the 39 and holding group: Hubby and I just turned 50...ouch! I think there might be some anti-aging potion onboard...aka DOTD or to be found in the District! o

 

[dceks cruisers]

I keep flip flopping on if I should do FE or not. What is cutoff date for FE and how many cabins are in FE so far? I don't have a FE so that's a little missing item and know I'd probably want to make it myself but then that takes time!

 

[esbrick]

Hello everyone,

We are booking this cruise today! I think we got the last stateroom available, but I'm not sure. I just know it wasn't easy to find a 4-night cruise on the Dream in February or March! We want so badly to escape this awful Minnesota winter we've been having. This is will be our fifth Disney cruise, but the very FIRST cruise without the kids along! My teenagers are not happy that we're checking out the "Dream" without them, but I figure they will get over it.

Anyway, I'm just checking in.....tonight I will go back and read this entire thread. I have so much to learn yet about the Dream....never thought we would be on board so soon.

Hi there! Welcome aboard! It's going to be a great cruise!

 

[esbrick]

I keep flip flopping on if I should do FE or not. What is cutoff date for FE and how many cabins are in FE so far? I don't have a FE so that's a little missing item and know I'd probably want to make it myself but then that takes time!

Hi there! Currently we have 32 families, 58 adults, 28 DD's and 19 DS's! Looks like a great group. We would love you to join. I'm thinking that we will stop taking names after Mid February but I don't think I could turn someone down if they wanted in! It's all about the magic right!

We ordered our FE's from gradysmom on Ebay. She is really good and pretty reasonable. You are basically paying for someone's time who knows what they are doing so you don't need to figure it out. I am not at all crafty so for me it was money worth spending!

 

[esbrick]

I'm so in for celebrating with the Forever 39 group!

I know many people have their own traditions for the sail away party but do we want to try and get together for a cheers to kick off the cruise? If not what about Thursday night in the District or if it's nice out at the Adult pool? Round 9pm?

 

[gunghomom]

Hi there,

Total newbie, so sorry if it's a silly question - just wondering what the Sail Away Party is? And wondering what kind of traditions people have for these?

Also, does anyone know - can the kids go into the clubs the first night we're on board? Mine can't wait to get in there!

 

[got2travel]

I'm so in for celebrating with the Forever 39 group!

I know many people have their own traditions for the sail away party but do we want to try and get together for a cheers to kick off the cruise? If not what about Thursday night in the District or if it's nice out at the Adult pool? Round 9pm?

We should definitely plan for some type of meet either before or after Sail Away. Probably before so that those who have early dinner won't feel rushed.

Hi there,

Total newbie, so sorry if it's a silly question - just wondering what the Sail Away Party is? And wondering what kind of traditions people have for these?

Also, does anyone know - can the kids go into the clubs the first night we're on board? Mine can't wait to get in there!

Sail Away is a big send off. The cruise staff leads us through some dances, meeting some of the staff, and greeting the characters, and of course the wonderful DCL horn. No big traditions for us other than for me to have a Drink of the Day in my hand, LOL.

And yes, the clubs will be open the first day. They have great activities to get the kids to mingle and make a few friends.

 

[Mean Queen]

The clubs aren't open right away for the kids though. I think I don't remember them being open until after the early dinner.

We do have a bit of a tradition. We try to get on board as soon as possible, eat at the buffet inside, make any last minute changes to dining (but not necessary this time), then head to our rooms if open. After checking out the room, we head to any DIS meets (usually in the Promenade Lounge), then head to the Sail Away party. Where I also make sure to get the drink of the day!

 

[MinnesotaMouse]

So many things to take care of--since we did this "last minute crazy thing" and booked the "Dream." My family of four just got off the Magic (7-day Western) in early December....I never would have thought we would be cruising again so soon. But like I said, it is just DH and I and no kids this time.

So, trying to figure out if we want to do any excursions but I think not--just exploring the beautiful new ship will be enough on Nassau and Sea days...and then soaking up the sun on CC!! That's the highlight of the trip--finding some warm sun and sand--because we have about 3 feet of snow on the ground here. We live on a farm and believe me, my DH is sick of blowing & moving snow!

Since we are dealing with MN weather, we have to plan to fly down the day before....so where to stay on Saturday night? In the past we have stayed on property the night beforfe but without the kids along, that seems not so important. Is anyone staying at the Port and if so, what hotel? And do the hotels there provide transportation to the port?

We need to get there early and try to get Palo reservations onboard because, surprise surprise (NOT!) there are none available. ) On the Magic we LOVED the Palo brunch and I, for one, want to do it again!

Both my DH and I are feeling a little guilty about an "alone trip." But we have no spring break, as such, and it's too hard to take the kids out of school again like we did for our after-Thanksgiving cruise.

Also, I think we are both worried that we may get bored with "just" each other!! Will we be seated at a table for 2 at dinner? Is that even an option, or would we definitely be placed with others for dining?

And what about these airline ticket prices, hmmm?? Right now it's looking like $650/each just to get there from Minneapolis. Ouch!! Any thoughts about what those prices are going to do in the future? We don't fly very often so don't pay a lot of attention to what's happening with regard to those costs until we absolutely need to.

Well, time to do more research on these boards so I can figure out the answers to my questions. Or if someone has some tidbits of information for me, I'd be happy to hear them!

Can't believe the cruise is only two months away!!!

 

[redman822]

Since we are dealing with MN weather, we have to plan to fly down the day before....so where to stay on Saturday night? In the past we have stayed on property the night beforfe but without the kids along, that seems not so important. Is anyone staying at the Port and if so, what hotel? And do the hotels there provide transportation to the port?

......

Also, I think we are both worried that we may get bored with "just" each other!! Will we be seated at a table for 2 at dinner? Is that even an option, or would we definitely be placed with others for dining?

......

And what about these airline ticket prices, hmmm?? Right now it's looking like $650/each just to get there from Minneapolis. Ouch!! Any thoughts about what those prices are going to do in the future? We don't fly very often so don't pay a lot of attention to what's happening with regard to those costs until we absolutely need to.

1) We are staying at the "Radisson Resort at the Port" and they have a shuttle to the port. (I tried posting a link but because I am a newbie here it won't let me -- just google the name in quotes and you'll find it.)

2) I don't know how it works now, but when DW and I went on a cruise in 99 for our 5th anniversary, they put us at a table with 2 other couples (no kids).

3) In my experience, airfares only (usually) go up as departure dates get closer...

 

[gunghomom]

Hi there,

Any of you going to the Atlantis during the time in Nassau? If so, are you doing the package through Disney and which one? Or are you going on your own? Or through the Comfort Suites?

I was thinking the family might really like it, but was debating what to do while we're here.

I see some of it sold out. Any chances they might open later?

 

[MinnesotaMouse]

Hi there,

Any of you going to the Atlantis during the time in Nassau? If so, are you doing the package through Disney and which one? Or are you going on your own? Or through the Comfort Suites?

I was thinking the family might really like it, but was debating what to do while we're here.

I see some of it sold out. Any chances they might open later?

We are not doing Atlantis this time, because we are not taking the kids. However, we did Atlantis AquaAdventure on our first Disney cruise a couple of years ago--our kids were 12 and 14 at the time, and we all absolutely loved it. I think of all the excursions we have been on since then (4 cruises total), Atlantis was THE BEST because of the huge waterpark. We just had a blast. We booked through Disney. I would think there would be a chance of getting the excursion you want by checking with the excursion desk when we board the Dream.

 

[gunghomom]

Thanks for the feedback Minnesota Mouse. So glad you're joining us! And i hope you are lucky and find a cheap flight.