Thoughts on the initial 8/9 Dream cruise...

[frozenmania]

Thanks for sharing!
Do you know if you still can upgrade your cabins upon arrival to port? I know that there was many renovations atPort Canaveral. We are hoping to upgrade to concierge cabin if available.

 

[squirk]

Yuck. I'm so glad that we cancelled & were refunded for our December cruise (with a normally nonrefundable concierge deposit) by the August 9th deadline, because this sounds like such a downer. Lack of variety and no Mickey waffles in Cabanas? Really? What part of Covid prevention requires the food offerings to be limited? It doesn't- it's pure cost-cutting with the attitude of "what do you expect post-2019"? I would have been steamed to pay the full (inflated Disney) price and not have a great variety of food and activities available onboard.

I also read Scott's blog about the cruise on DCLB, and seeing the pool deck was depressing, with the family pool roped off so that people can't enter at will, and the quick service roped off to keep people in lines, etc. Nope, not appealing at all.

Could not agree more. The full DCL price for all of these compromises? No, thank you. Seems like no matter where you go on the ship, there's going to be something missing that reminds you of what you used to get/do, but can't. A downer, indeed.

More power to the people who would (and did) feel that they got full value for their money on these cruises, but I'm just not feeling it.

 

[squirk]

@mcd2745 - forgot to ask: did you happen to notice if Midship Detective Agency was up and running?

 

[CT Yankee]

Thank you for sharing your experience. This would have been such a downer for me, especially being reminded about how much is different or missing. Disappointing that DCL did not take the time to refresh the menus or make sure that their information was accurate and consistent. We are contemplating 2022, but if things do not change by then, I can't justify the cost.

 

[tvguy]

Could not agree more. The full DCL price for all of these compromises? No, thank you. Seems like no matter where you go on the ship, there's going to be something missing that reminds you of what you used to get/do, but can't. A downer, indeed.

More power to the people who would (and did) feel that they got full value for their money on these cruises, but I'm just not feeling it.

You aren't surprised I hope?

 

[katmigordon]

According to one of the vloggers I watched, yes that is up and running.

@mcd2745 - forgot to ask: did you happen to notice if Midship Detective Agency was up and running?

 

[DCLCrazy64622]

Royal Caribbean has areas of the ship where only vaxed ppl can be so they can take off their masks. Was there anything like that or did you have to wear a mask the entire time indoors even if vaxed?

 

[squirk]

You aren't surprised I hope?

Nope. I feel my concerns have been validated, unfortunately.

 

[HiStitch626]

Lack of variety and no Mickey waffles in Cabanas? Really? What part of Covid prevention requires the food offerings to be limited?

I wonder if DCL is having supply issues that has led to the lack of variety? People have had similar concerns about the menus at the parks.

 

[squirk]

I wonder if DCL is having supply issues that has led to the lack of variety? People have had similar concerns about the menus at the parks.

As far as the Mickey waffles go, I haven’t heard of a Bisquick shortage….

 

[mcd2745]

@mcd2745 - forgot to ask: did you happen to notice if Midship Detective Agency was up and running?

Yes, it was. I actually had to ask a CM as we were walking past the kiosk on deck 5 about 10pm the second night as, bizarrely, I hadn't seen anyone playing it yet. I think I only saw 2 people the entire cruise playing it.

 

[mcd2745]

Royal Caribbean has areas of the ship where only vaxed ppl can be so they can take off their masks. Was there anything like that or did you have to wear a mask the entire time indoors even if vaxed?

No, there wasn't. At least not that we were aware of.

 

[tvguy]

Nope. I feel my concerns have been validated, unfortunately.

It's Disney, lucky they didn't add a surcharge for being the first.

 

[mab2012]

It depends on why one sails. If it's to relax on the deck and watch the world go by, then it still looks appealing. If you were desperate for your late March 2020 cruise and it was cancelled and it's been 1.5 years since and you're longing even more for a relaxing day at CC, then it still looks appealing. If life has been unusally busy and stressful lately and you're looking for a long stretch of down time, then it still looks appealing. If your kids are grown and will be working while you're sailing and you don't give a fark about the kids clubs, then it still looks appealing.

Personal opinion, obviously, and I'm not trying to invalidate yours. But for me, if all I want is to watch the ocean go by, and I don't care about the kids' clubs and activities, I think there are equally empty ships available on other cruise lines, at a far better price point, with less restrictive protocols.

We are sailing on RCCL in a couple of weeks, for the first time in a decade, and the first time ever with our (vaccinated) kids. I'm excited about that cruise, after reading the experiences of others who have already sailed the same itinerary. I don't think I could get excited about this.

Our next DCL cruise is not scheduled until next summer. Hoping things will be much closer to "normal" by then.

 

[Donna3271]

From Scott's DCL Blog - During the times for vaccinated guests, you can remove your mask while exercising. During all guests everyone must have a mask on at all times.

View attachment 597277

TUSM!!!!!

 

[mousefan73]

I personally would have been livid and would’ve voiced my anger had I not known that the laundry rooms was not available. Normally we schedule cruises at the end or midpoint of our trip to Florida. So we would’ve been boarding with dirty underwear. It’s just for us more convenient to save our laundry for the cruise portion.

 

[DIS_MIKE]

Thank you for the write up. I totally feel your pain with the luggage. A few years ago we could not find my bag and I was really upset. We had to fill out a form listing all the contents and value. One of the people assisting us said that it was likely taken by mistake which I found so bizarre as it was not a common bag. We were the last ones to board a DCL bus back to the airport. While we were en route I received a call from DCL that our luggage was at the airport and somebody did in fact take my bag by mistake. It was a stressful situation and I wonder how common it happens. I guess you have to really mark your bags to distinguish them from other ones.

Did you observe anyone being able to fill personal mugs at the drink stations? I wasn't sure if I could take my Yeti and get it filled by a CM. My guess is no but I was curious. I guess the work around would be to ask the CM for multiple cups so you can transfer it to your personal drink container.

Definitely bummed about no Palo buffet but it was pretty much confirmed already that it would be a difference experience. We'll still try to get a reservation though.

It is strange that they made the rainforest room private. You would think they could do something similar with how they operate the gym by having vaccinated and non-vaxed come at different times. This way everybody wins.

No Mickey waffles at the buffet is a bit bizarre but at least you can get them in the MDR. I also noticed no corned beef hash or eggs Benedict which I enjoy.

Definitely pros and cons to these cruises and I understand why many have been calling to cancel. The pool limit of 10 mins is definitely short. For us, it's just being back at sea again but that double dip at CC is very exciting. Cannot wait to get on board in a few weeks!

 

[Jodi]

The pool limit of 10 mins is definitely short

Wait, what? Did I miss this? NM-I found it! lol

 

[BadPinkTink]

Did you observe anyone being able to fill personal mugs at the drink stations? I wasn't sure if I could take my Yeti and get it filled by a CM. My guess is no but I was curious. I guess the work around would be to ask the CM for multiple cups so you can transfer it to your personal drink container.

On both The Disney Magic UK cruises and The Dream Port Canaveral Cruises, you have to ask the CM at the drinks station for multiple cups of soda or water. They will place them on the table and you fill your re useable cup / Yeti.

No Mickey waffles at the buffet is a bit bizarre but at least you can get them in the MDR. I also noticed no corned beef hash or eggs Benedict which I enjoy..

Theme Park Express asked about this at Cabanas. The reason is because of social distancing for guests. They now have each station serving exactly the same items, so that guests can be more spaced out. When you enter Cabanas you are allocated a station for your food. If they can't make a particular item at all the food stations, then that particular item is not an option at any food station.

 

[lizzyb]

Thanks for the update. I am happy most of your family had a great time!