The dream christmas cruise dec 2-6 2012

[joyjanet]

Oh it's so nice to see so many new posts. Love that many more have joined the FE too. I can't wait to start packing. It's 42 degrees here today and my soul craves the warm sun shining down on me...

The kids are finally starting to get as excited as I am . Feeling very blessed to have the opportunity to take them again.

For those of you who live in FL near Disney, what's the typical day/night weather like during early December? Trying to figure out what all to pack since we're also doing a few days at WDW and going to be hitting the Mickey Christmas Party Thursday night after the cruise.

Any other "magical secrets" any of you can share about the Dream ?

Our weather changes constantly this time of year. This Wednesday it is going down to 47 at night and next Wednesday it will be 64 at night. Good idea to bring light jackets (nothing too heavy) and shorts and jeans. Since it will be snowing at Disney (since it is Christmas) you might want hats and gloves.

 

[PirateBob]

Oh it's so nice to see so many new posts. Love that many more have joined the FE too. I can't wait to start packing. It's 42 degrees here today and my soul craves the warm sun shining down on me...

The kids are finally starting to get as excited as I am . Feeling very blessed to have the opportunity to take them again.

For those of you who live in FL near Disney, what's the typical day/night weather like during early December? Trying to figure out what all to pack since we're also doing a few days at WDW and going to be hitting the Mickey Christmas Party Thursday night after the cruise.

Any other "magical secrets" any of you can share about the Dream ?

By December you will need a jacket at night, unless you are very lucky.

 

[Purplelv93]

Nope - no such thing as typical weather in Florida that time of year. When it gets closer you can look ahead at the 10-day forecast and get an idea of what it will be like.

We got our cabin assignment today! #7140

 

[MichelFamily]

We are so excited about our first Disney cruise! We are going to surprise our daughter 9yrs & 3yrs. I can't wait to see their faces Any advice about Disney cruises? Any suggestions to make it extra special for our kiddos?
Thank You!

 

[dvc deernut]

We are so excited about our first Disney cruise! We are going to surprise our daughter 9yrs & 3yrs. I can't wait to see their faces Any advice about Disney cruises? Any suggestions to make it extra special for our kiddos?
Thank You!

WELCOME TO THE GROUP HMMM WHERE TO START HAILEY WHOSE IS 9 WILL BE WITH US. SHE WILL GIVE LAURA AND I AN EXCUSE TO WALK AROUND OCEANEERS CLUB AND BE BIG KIDDOS WE HAVE PASSED THAT ENTRY SO MANY TIMES NOW WE CAN GO IN. WHATS REALLY COOL IS THE INTERACTIVE DETECTIVE GAME ANYONE CAN PLAY. LAURA AND I HAVE BEEN ON THE DREAM A FEW TIMES AND HAVENT FINISHED THE GAME YET. NOT THAT IT CANT BE FINISHED BUT WE FORGET TO DO IT OR WE STARTED TO LATE AT NIGHT. I THINK ITS DEC 4 OR 5 YOU WILL FIND THE DETECTIVE DESK, GET YOUR GAME CARD AND YOUR OFF AROUND THE SHIP FINDING CLUES. GO TO FIRST PAINTING STAND IN FRONT, USE YOUR CARD TO ACTIVATE THE PAINTING GET YOUR NEXT CLUE. ITS FUN FOR ALL AGES. IT TAKES LONGER FOR REALLY OLD KIDDOS LIKE MYSELF
IN OUR OPINION WHEN YOU GET TO NASSAU THERE ISNT MUCH FOR YOUNG KIDS TO DO UNLESS YOU BOOKED A TOUR TO SWIM WITH DOLPHINS ETC. THERE IS A BEACH RIGHT NEAR THE SHIP.
EVEN THOU ITS YOUR FIRST TIME DRESS UP LIKE A PIRATE ON PIRATE NIGHT, THE KIDS AND OLDER KIDS(we are all kids on the ship) WILL HAVE FUN. WE ALWAYS DRESS UP. DONT MISS THE MEET AND GREETS. THE PRINCESSES HAVE MEET AND GREETS IN THE MAIN ATRUIM IN EARLY EVENING. OTHER CHARACTERS WILL BE AROUND ALSO. ON CASTAWAY CAY YOU WILL HAVE THE FAB 5 mickey, minnie, goofy, donald, pluto. CAPTAIN HOOK AND SMEE ARE USUALLY NEAR THE POST OFFICE. JACK SPARROW IS USUALLY SOMEWHERE. IF YOU WANT TO DO YOUR FAMILY CHRISTMAS CARD PHOTOS YOU CAN DO THEM IN THE ATRUIM, ITS ALL SET UP FOR CHRISTMAS.
RIGHT AFTER MUSTER DRILL GO TO DECK 11 AND STAND RIGHT INFRONT OF THE STAGE ON THE POOL COVERING. THATS A GOOD PLACE FOR SAILAWAY SHOW. SAME WITH PIRATE SHOW. IF YOUR FACING THE STAGE ON PIRATE NIGHT STAND ON LEFT SIDE. THATS A BETTER SIDE FOR THE FIREWORKS ON THAT LEVEL.

LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT TO JOIN THE FE LET ME KNOW.
FE STANDS FOR FISH EXTENDER. YOU HANG YOUR FE ON YOUR DOOR FISH OR SEAHORSE DEPENDING ON SIDE OF SHIP YOUR ON. EVERYONE WHO HAS SIGNED UP GO AROUND AND PLACE A STOCKING STUFFER TYPE GIFT IN THE FE POCKETS OF EVERYONE IN THE CABIN. IF YOU HAVE 4 IN YOUR CABIN YOU ONLY GIVE OUT ONE FE GIFT PER CABIN PER PERSON. IF YOU DONT HAVE AN FE HOLDER YOU CAN HANG ANYTHING WITH THE NAMES OF EACH PERSON IN THE CABIN. USUALLY 1 GIFT PER CRUISE PER PERSON. DURING THE CRUISE AT ANYTIME YOU WANT YOU GO AROUND AND DROP OFF THE FE GIFT. WHEN THOSE PEOPLE IN THAT CABIN COME BACK THEY WILL FIND IT IN THERE FE HOLDER. ITS A LOT OF FUN. ITS FUN FOR THE KIDS AND KIDS AT HEART. OUR GROUP ISNT BIG, I KEEP POSTING THE UPDATE OF THE GROUP. THE GIFT IS USUALLY SOMETHING YOUVE MADE OR BOUGHT BUT ITS USUALLY INEXPENSIVE. FOR EXAMPLE WE HAD A CABIN FROM NEAR HERSHEY PA. INVOLVED AND THEY BROUGHT CHOCOLATE BARS FROM HERSHEY CHOCOLATE. SOME ONE ELSE FROM LONG ISLAND AREA BROUGHT A SQUEAKY DUCK WHISTLE WHICH IS FROM THERE LOCAL HOCKEY TEAM. WE ARE CANADIAN SO WE USUALLY BRING THINGS THAT ARE TYPICALLY CANADIAN FROM OUR AREA.

WOW THAT WAS A LONG POST, HOPE I MADE WHAT THE FE IS WITHOUT MAKING IT MORE CONFUSING IF YOU GO BACK A FEW POSTS YOU WILL SEE A PHOTO OF OUR DOOR AND THE FE HANGING AT THE SIDE. THIS IS ONLY DONE ON A DISNEY SHIP.

 

[dvc deernut]

here is updated fe list.

Dvc deernut laura(dw) ian(dh) cabin 7002
cara(dfiancee) skye(dd)16 hailey(dd)9 cabin 7000

reigle4 rick(dh) melinda(dw) jade(dgd)8 cabin 6112
jenny(dw) richard(dh) kay(dd)7 cabin 6114

obslady brandy(dw) david(dh) cabin 5650
talia(dd)17 keegan(ds)12

jjmom jeanette(dm) jaden(ds)13 janessa(dd)12 cabin 2023

drumexpert510 brad(dboyfriend) kaitlin(dgirlfriend) jennifer(dmom) cabin 8588

amanda202 amanda(dw) anton(dh) cabin ?

Piratebob bano(dw) bob(dh) cabin ?

Herbiethek herb(dh) janet(dw) cabin ?

Soaringlady kathryn(dw) marcel(dh) cabin 10514
corale(dm) cabin 10518

purplelv93 monique(dbff) yolanda(dbff) cabin 7140

any corrections please let me know.

new update with cabin number for purplelv93

 

[drumexpert510]

Real quick question...

I have been on other lines that while you are on their private Island that have a free lunch, barbeque, or something. Is something like this offered on castaway cay or is it food that you have to pay for?

 

[reigle4]

new update with cabin number for purplelv93

What is dbff...I don' know what it is considered...adult, child?

 

[drumexpert510]

FINISHED OUR NEW FE!!!

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU ALL THINK... and yes it was very hard making this without Kaitlin knowing or seeing.

 

[dvc deernut]

FINISHED OUR NEW FE!!!

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU ALL THINK... and yes it was very hard making this without Kaitlin knowing or seeing.

GREAT JOB CANT WAIT TO HEAR THE STORY ABOUT TELLING HER WHERE YOUR GOING

 

[dvc deernut]

Real quick question...

I have been on other lines that while you are on their private Island that have a free lunch, barbeque, or something. Is something like this offered on castaway cay or is it food that you have to pay for?

CASTAWAY CAY IS MUCH BETTER THAN THE OTHER CRUISELINE ISLANDS. THE ONLY THINGS THAT COST MONEY ARE THE DRINKS, SNORKLE GEAR, WHAT EVER YOU BUY AT THE SHOPS THAT ARE ISLAND RELATED. OR WHAT EVER SHORE EXCURSION YOU SIGNED UP FOR. THE FOOD IS INCLUDED. ITS A BIG BBQ. THE FAMILY BEACH AREA (COOKIES BBQ) IS BIGGER THAN SERENITY BAY BBQ. BUT NOT AS MANY GO TO SERENITY BAY. THEY HAVE SALADS, HAMBURGERS, SALMON, RIBS, FRUIT, ETC. AT SERENITY BAY THEY HAVE BBQed MAHI MAHI. JUST REMEMBER THE FOOD SHUTS DOWN AROUND 2pm AT SERENITY BAY. CANT REMEMBER FOR FAMILY BEACH. I USUALLY HAVE A COUPLE MAHI MAHI BURGERS WORK IT OFF SNORKLING AND STRETCHING MY ARM WITH MY KONK KOOLERS THE WATER AT THIS TIME OF YEAR IS COOLER THAN IT IS WHEN WE SAIL IN SEPT. ONE TIME MY SON AND I DID THE SEADOOS, THAT WAS COOL! YOU GO WAY OUT AND AROUND AND THEN WE STOPPED AND GOT OFF THEM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WATER ON A SAND BAR. IT WAS ABOUT 1 FOOT DEEP. IF YOU GO SLOW YOU CAN SEE FISH UNDER THE WATER AND THE ODD SHARK SO DONT FALL IN LETS HOPE WE GET GOOD WEATHER, BECAUSE IF ITS TOO WINDY ITS UNSAFE FOR THE SHIP TO DOCK. ITS A VERY NARROW CHANNEL TO GET INTO THE ISLAND. WE LIKE SNORKLING. THE SNORKLING AREA IS GREAT. THE FISH WILL SWIM RIGHT UP TO YOU TO INVESTIGATE YOU I GOT SHOTS OF A COUPLE SMALL SCHOOLS OF FISH ABOUT 6 TO 10 INCHES LONG WITHIN INCHES OF MY BODY.
WELL I COULD KEEP GOING BUT IVE MADE ANOTHER LONNNNNNNGGGGG POST!!!!

 

[soarin lady]

FINISHED OUR NEW FE!!!

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU ALL THINK... and yes it was very hard making this without Kaitlin knowing or seeing.

Dude....you rock!!!! Looks great! We are just using a Tinkerbell Christmas stocking on this cruise.....and since it is just hubby and me...can just make one drop!! I had made an actual FE for the last cruises, but couldn't find any disney Christmas fabric I liked...so took the lazy way out this time!! LOL...

Anyway great job...look forward to hearing about Kaitlin's reaction too!

 

[obslady]

What is dbff...I don' know what it is considered...adult, child?

(DBFF) = Disney Best Friend Forever

Monique and Yolanda are adults.

 

[obslady]

Well the 17 yo daughter has decided this year she doesn't want to do the Wild Side Adventure. It's always been a favorite of hers too...Instead, we've now booked the Sting Ray Snorkling Adventure. Has anyone done this before? I booked for the whole family this time. I think my 12 yo son might really enjoy it. With Aspergers you never know, but for the price it's worth the try.

 

[Gizmoses2003]

Hi everyone, Thought I'd sign up just in case there may be info we need. Disney on Cruise Critic is pretty slow.
We just booked a week or so ago. Got a super deal with a military discount. We probably won't book any excursions on such a short cruise. We just wanted a short cruise since we'll already be in Cocoa Beach anyway.
This is our first Disney cruise. We normally go With RCI, but hey we go where the deals are too.
I'm Gon2hwe on Cruise Critic.

 

[MichelFamily]

Great info! Thanks! We'd love to join the FE exchange (I googled it and I think the girls will love it!)...What do we do to sign up? There will be 4 in our cabin Me (Jessica) my husband (Rich) and our daughters Bre (9) and Claire (3).

 

[soarin lady]

Great info! Thanks! We'd love to join the FE exchange (I googled it and I think the girls will love it!)...What do we do to sign up? There will be 4 in our cabin Me (Jessica) my husband (Rich) and our daughters Bre (9) and Claire (3).

Welcome! You will need to E-Mail DVC Deernut ... he is in charge of the FE exchange! It is alot of fun...for everyone!

 

[TBMommy]

With Aspergers you never know, but for the price it's worth the try.

My 5 year old has autism, his current diagnosis is PPD-NOS but most closely resembles a child with Aspergers.

This is our first Disney cruise with the kids. Do you mind if I ask if your son has been able to spend time in the Oceanears area on previous cruises?

 

[obslady]

My 5 year old has autism, his current diagnosis is PPD-NOS but most closely resembles a child with Aspergers.

This is our first Disney cruise with the kids. Do you mind if I ask if your son has been able to spend time in the Oceanears area on previous cruises?

He has...we let them know ahead of time and he spent more time with a one on one counselor than in the larger groups. Keegan leans more on the side of being sensory sensitive and the noise bothered him, but ear plugs help him a lot. The counselor he had on our last cruise was amazing. They made a really cool car out of a bar of ivory soap that he took apart and put back together I don't know how many times. Keegan is non-emotional/flat in most cases, but they made every effort to help him fit in without being pushy. They will do all they can to accomodate your child and I'm very comfortable leaving mine with the staff. They make every child feel special and do their best to engage each one at their own level of understanding and abilities.

 

[dvc deernut]

great info! Thanks! We'd love to join the fe exchange (i googled it and i think the girls will love it!)...what do we do to sign up? There will be 4 in our cabin me (jessica) my husband (rich) and our daughters bre (9) and claire (3).

all i need now is your cabin number.