Booked on the Dream for Nov!

[peaches magee]

I am stupidly excited to go! Me and my hubs decided when we got married on 11/11/2000 that we would make a big deal out of our 11th anniversary instead of our 10th, because it falls on 11/11/11. So a cruise it is! We have not been on one since our honeymoon 10 years ago and never been on DCL. We are taking our 8 year old, well he will almost be 9 by time we go. I think he will have a blast in the Oceaneer Lab, giving us time in the day to spend just the two of us around the ship.

We are leaving home the little one, she will almost be 3 and I know that lots of people take tiny ones with them, I know it will end up not being as relaxing with her being so little and demanding. Hoping to plan another one, maybe on the new Fantasy, when she is around 5, lots easier to handle and she can go in the Lab by then too. I know I will be sad when I see the princesses and she is not with us but I know she will enjoy in even more in 2 more years, and mostly likely remember it more too.

So I need loads of DCL info and pic now fill to hold my anticipation for the next like 10 months.

[Qsk50]

Congrats Peaches, I bet you can't wait to go. You are going to have such a wonderful time. The last time I went on a Disney cruise was years ago but I remember it like if it had been just yesterday. Perfect in every way, just like everything Disney does.

[distrips]

I just got off the Dream last week and it is absolutely amazing. Count on almost never seeing your 9 year old but that will give you plenty of time to enjoy the Rain Forest room and the adult pool area!

Think of it this way, you can rebook on board to save 10% and get a shipboard credit (plus only have to pay 1/2 the standard deposit) and you'll be set for the Fantasy!

A Disney cruise is like nothing else, you'll have an amazing time.
Ask away with questions.

[Ghost Host]

I'm booked for the June 10, 2012 Dream cruise to the Bahamas with two stops at Castaway Cay. So excited! And Distrips, Judi is my TA. She's awesome!

[Dizneyusa]

What a awesome idea!!! Especially because it is 11/11/11 -

You will be amazed - The ship was worth waiting for

From the minute you walk into the atrium (nice and open and large) to the food, entertainment (The District is amazing)
and one of the newest additions is the cabins have a queen bed that is much higher up and allows you to put most luggage under it for storage (they do need to add back some
cabins with two twins that convert to a queen though, we were hoping before a dry dock was due). They have new and updated shows - everyone really enjoyed the new Villains
show. Shopping area on this ship is just perfect: 3 nice size stores with alot of merchandise. They are nice a spread out. People were commenting on how small the adult pool
area was between the Spa and Cove Cafe, but we liked it. The Spa is gorgeous - the workout area seemed smaller to us then on the Magic and Wonder, but very nice.

Palo's price is now $20 per person and Remy's is $75 per person. Palo's is perfection, we wish that they would have made it a little larger (there really is not alot of space for them
to do their brunch) but it is beautiful! Remy's was exceptional, we do feel that the price is a bit high though. Hoping that they will offer guests the incentive that they do for Palo's
at Remy's in the near future (Palo's was offering Platinum guests a one guest pays and the other guest does not - this would be fantastic for Remy's also if they would offer that
option too)

One of our favorite areas on the ship was Cabana's (their buffet area on the Pool Deck - Deck 11) make sure to go all the way around They have a carving station and bar around
the corner. Also a beautiful view!!!!! The food was much better then what they used to offer on the Magic and Wonder. JMO

If there is anything else that you are wondering or curious about post a way or you are welcome to PM me anytime

Dana
cruisepl@att.net

[minniemose35]

Congrats on booking your cruise Peaches. The 11/11 anniversary idea is a great one. Our anniversary is 11/11 also, but we have a few more years on you (11/11/78). I've never even given the 11/11/11 anniversary a thought. Can't make the cruise this year (have to wait until 2013), but maybe hubby and I will need to do something special too.

Have a great cruise and happy anniversary early!

[bamfer23]

What an excellent idea for an anniversary present! Im sure you guys will have a blast!!

[distrips]

I'm booked for the June 10, 2012 Dream cruise to the Bahamas with two stops at Castaway Cay. So excited! And Distrips, Judi is my TA. She's awesome!

We are lucky, Judi is an amazing part of our team!

[disneyaddict]

Oh you are going to love it. It is a beautiful ship and sooooo much fun. Congrats on a great anniversary gift for each other. Another 11/11/95 anniversary date person here.

[vinyLEEtion]

*jealous* !!! hope you have an amazing time!!! It's definitely a "dream" of mine to go on a Disney cruise!! (Haha)

[peaches magee]

If all goes well on this cruise we will book the Fantasy for sure and take the little one then
Do you guys know if the Palo brunch is the sane charge, $20 a person? I hear the brunch there is amazing. I was planning on doing breakfast at Cabanas at least once. Something about eating out on the deck in the AM sounds so lovely.
Also what time do you usually have to be at the port? Do you chose your time when you check in ahead online? I read something about that. We were trying to see of we should go up the day before and get a hotel and park there and use their shuttle or just use the port parking. I know their parking is probably more safe than the hotel though.
My son is not going to want to leave that kids club, he is all about making friends and meeting new kids his age so he is going to just love it.

[Dizneyusa]

We highly suggest getting to the port before 11AM - they usually start boarding approx. Noon Palo's is $20 for brunch per guest and yes it is amazing for brunch or dinner

Alot of guests stay at the Radisson at Port Canaveral - they have a really nice breakfast buffet in the morning (not included - but worth it) and they let you park your car there and
shuttle over to the port. Just make sure to call ahead if you are staying there and put your name on the shuttle list asap. Also recheck to make sure your name is on the scheduled time
when you arrive at the hotel. Just to make double sure your are all set

There is also a new Marriott near the Radisson. So you can see who might be offering a better rate

Dana
cruisepl@att.net
College Of Knowledge Disney Travel Specialist

[Ghost Host]

If all goes well on this cruise we will book the Fantasy for sure and take the little one then
Do you guys know if the Palo brunch is the sane charge, $20 a person? I hear the brunch there is amazing. I was planning on doing breakfast at Cabanas at least once. Something about eating out on the deck in the AM sounds so lovely.
Also what time do you usually have to be at the port? Do you chose your time when you check in ahead online? I read something about that. We were trying to see of we should go up the day before and get a hotel and park there and use their shuttle or just use the port parking. I know their parking is probably more safe than the hotel though.
My son is not going to want to leave that kids club, he is all about making friends and meeting new kids his age so he is going to just love it.

I hope that we love it so much that we want to book every 2 years! Our plan also is to book another one once we're on board. I can't wait for you to go so that you can make me more excited about my trip! haha

[distrips]

Also what time do you usually have to be at the port? Do you chose your time when you check in ahead online? I read something about that. We were trying to see of we should go up the day before and get a hotel and park there and use their shuttle or just use the port parking. I know their parking is probably more safe than the hotel though.

Usually they open the terminal at 10:30 for checkin though boarding doesn't begin until noon. You can arrive any time up until 3:45pm for the Dream (the obviously I never recommend cutting it so close). We like to arrive early to enjoy lunch on board and get the most out of the day.

The new system which went into effect yesterday, will ask you to select an arrival time. That can only be done at your 75 day mark (or sooner for Castaway Club Members) and once you have completed all the other online documents.

Have a great time

[peaches magee]

Thanks for all the info. I think the hotel might be a good idea since we are about 3 hours south of WDW we would have to leave really earlier to head up if not. We were thinking around 10ish to get there for sure. No way I want to miss any available time roaming the ship Ugh Ghost Host, I have like 10 months and I am already nuts with anticipation. I will probably take like 2,000 pictures so be ready!
I would love to do every 2 years as well. That would put our little one closer to 5 for the next one and I think she would really enjoy it then and we could do a 5 or 7 day then. We are just doing a 3 night for now, I know it isn't going to be enough but we opted for an upgrade with the verandah instead of another night, being that we are away from our little one and didn't want to make that much longer than 3 night because of that.
I think we might do Palo for brunch since it is a 3 night I don't want to miss the rotation of the other 3 restaurants for dinner. We are doing main seating and then a 9pm show. I really hope they get their serving issues in line by then. I have heard it can take forever to have your meal served. I don't want to have to miss dessert or something so we don't miss our show.

[distrips]

peaches...

Sorry to say Palo brunch is not an option on the 3 night
Don't worry about the serving issues, they have many experienced and awesome servers on board. They are just getting used to their new partners and I am sure it will be up to their usually high standards any day now. Also keep in mind, the second seating people are coming in 8:15, so you'll be out in plenty of time for the show

[peaches magee]

^ Well that stinks. I guess I will have to wait for the next cruise to have some Palo. I don't want to miss out on the other ones that are already included. Which cruises have the Pirate night is it only 5-7 night or is it on a 4 as well? Also does anyone know what time the fireworks are at night and is it only on one night, if at all on a 3 night?
Oh that's right for some reason I thought main seating was a bit later. I figured that was the best way because if we did late seating and an early show it would cut into each other and would be too rushed.

[distrips]

^ Which cruises have the Pirate night is it only 5-7 night or is it on a 4 as well? Also does anyone know what time the fireworks are at night and is it only on one night, if at all on a 3 night?

Pirate night is currently on all the cruises for the 3, 4 and 5 night it is on the Nassau night. They changed how they do it now. 7:45 was a real cute Mickey's pirate show. 10:30 was the Buccaneer Blast aka fireworks and dance party!

[peaches magee]

Yay! I totally thought that it was not on the 3 night! You say they changed it, but do they still have the Mickey pirate show and fireworks dance party? I have seen pictures of people at pirates night, everyone dresses up right?

[distrips]

Yay! I totally thought that it was not on the 3 night! You say they changed it, but do they still have the Mickey pirate show and fireworks dance party? I have seen pictures of people at pirates night, everyone dresses up right?

It used to be one show/fireworks display after 2nd dining. There was also a pirate who "swooped in". Now it is divided into the 2 parties. Many people still dress up!

[peaches magee]

So are the fireworks later? We have main dining and 9pm shows, hope we dont miss it

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

YAY!

Obviously, message me if you need to ask anything (although, you already know that )

And with pirate night, it seems to be, the actual "show" is at about 7:30 and then the fireworks and "Club Pirate" are at 10:30.

[1rocky]

Congrats Peaches magee.my dream is to go on a disney cruise.

[distrips]

So are the fireworks later? We have main dining and 9pm shows, hope we dont miss it

Yes, the fireworks are late...you'll be fine. Just head from the show up to the pool deck, it will be perfect!

[jme]

Just got back from my cruise/world trip (went on the 2nd sailing then visited wdw afterwards)
You're going to LOVE it, we rebooked for April 2012....
And good plan with the little one. We went without our kids (3 and 4 currently) and we're glad we did. We will be taking them in 2012 when they are almost 5/6. 8 years old is like a perfect age for the oceaneer club!

The food is amazing, even without Palo Cabanas for breakfast is GREAT, especially on Castaway Cay day in my opinion, no time for a full sit down breakfast, but you can get up early and sit out on deck and watch as you dock while you have some great food (You gotta get the Eggs Benedict!)

This was our first cruise also, so we didn't really know what to expect, but our expectations were still blown away with the level of detail and service. I really can not recommend DCL enough!
Make sure to take the midship elevators that have the glass window that allow you to see midship as you go up... because after you pass that there's some great artwork going up the interior walls you can see!

Aquaduck is a MUST!

And I'll leave you with some pics:
Aquaduck at sunset


Castaway Cay from Cabanas


Serenity Bay


Dream from the Family Beach area