Booked on the Dream for Nov!

[peaches magee]

HHGFG you know I will be lading you with messages in the meantime. hehe Thanks for the pics jme and the info distrips. Cabanas on Castaway Cay day sounds lovely. Might even do that on Nassau day as we plan on just staying on board that day. I have been to Nassau a few times and not impressed. Figured since we only did the 3 night and don't have an actual "day at sea" we will use that as one and take advantage of the less busy ship to look around and also ride Aquaduck Best place for lunch? Do you do the restaurants or is it easier to just do quick service? Since my son will be in the Oceaneer Lab pretty much all day I am guessing, we will be free to have lunch on our own so I just wanted to plan for that.
Also did you all do the magnets on your door? I know you have HHGFG, I need to start printing stuff out soon to add magnets too. Need to find fun and unique things though

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

For lunch on sea days or port days where I stay on the ship, I usually just get quick service. I the chicken tenders and fries on board so I get those a lot I think Cabanas is open for lunch for a couple hours.

If you need places to find things to use for magnets, let me know. I know a bunch. Plus google is always good

[distrips]

Might even do that on Nassau day as we plan on just staying on board that day. I have been to Nassau a few times and not impressed. Figured since we only did the 3 night and don't have an actual "day at sea" we will use that as one and take advantage of the less busy ship to look around and also ride Aquaduck Best place for lunch? Do you do the restaurants or is it easier to just do quick service?

We do the ship for the day! Treat yourself to the Rainforest Room too! It is a real steal and ultra relaxing.

For lunch, it really depends on my mood and the weather at the time. You can do Cabanas, Fast Food, there is always one dining room open or even room service on the balcony!

[peaches magee]

I was curious as to if the Rainforest Room pass was worth it. I have read mixed things on it. Like that it is busy. But for the day of Nassau it might be less busy and our day to go in there and relax when the kiddo is playing. Also was going to do massages, but they are super overpriced and I heard that they really pressure you to buy products after. Anyone have experience with the spa?

[jme]

Rainforest Room was not busy in my experience. Yes there were other people in there, but every time I went I was able to walk right into an empty hot tub, an open shower, or a non-crowded (3-4 people max) sauna. The spa people said that there are spurts in which a crowd might all hit at the same time, but nobody stays in there for hours at a time. I guess I always hit it at the right times.
You won't save MUCH with the pass, and if it doesn't seem like something you'll do every day, then it's not worth it. Just buy the daily entry if you think you'll have enough time to enjoy it that day. That's what I did, and it worked out very nicely.

When you get on board the ship, before you have access to your stateroom (about 1:30pm) make a point to visit the spa, they will give you a nice tour that shows you all their offered services, and they usually have offers for booking during the tour. There is also a raffle, we did it and my wife won a free facial!!! Just remember to show up for the drawing, most people didn't and if you're not there, you won't win ;)

Another tip, when you get to port, check your luggage but keep something light, like a bookbag or large purse that has your travel docs (passport, birth cert, ids etc) and a swim suit. Like I said, your rooms not ready until 1:30 so you have to lug whatever you keep with you that whole time. Pack light and you'll be able to make early use of the pools while everyone else has to wait for their room to change! A primo time to check out the Aquaduck if you ask me

Don't bother packing hand sanitizer if you're a germophobe like me, at every meal they offer all guests antibacterial wipes, and also when you are boarding/reboarding the ship.

Have fun planning!

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

I've been to the Spa (surprise surprise ) multiple times.

I went to the rainforest room in November when we had our surprise sea day. We went mid day and it wasn't too crowded, maybe 8-10 people beside my friend and I. Only stayed for 30minutes or so, but we thought it was worth it.

After all the treatments they do try and sell you stuff. It depends on the person on how bad it is. I read somewhere that you could tell them not to do that. And during port days, they usually have discounts on certain treatments.

[distrips]

I LOVE the Rain Forest Room and would pay double (but don't tell them that!). The one on the Dream is simply to die for and much larger! Honestly, even if I only got an hour in there I would be thrilled. That said, I am heat person, so could sit in the heated loungers all day (and now they have almost triple the number with an awesome view). I love it so much so that 2 cruises ago when I had to work, I asked if they had internet service in there. I know it defeats the purposes a little bit but if you have to work, I would rather work sitting in the spa than my room.

As for the massages, I am a little spoiled. I live near one of the top 10 day spas in the US and they certainly put the ship to shame. That said, as far as the product sales, there is a big push at all salons. When you arrive, you have to do a questionnaire. In big letters across the top and side, I just write..."NO PRODUCT SALES PLEASE!". I don't have a problem anymore. I decided long ago I shouldn't pay $100 to relax and then have someone point out my flaws, it kind of defeated the purpose of relaxation

[Jameszbonds]

i cant wait to go back on a DCL, i had so much fun this past nov

[jeffztt]

I've not been on the Dream but have been on the Wonder and Magic (once per ship). I'll try not to duplicate what has been posted:

--We have stayed at the Radisson for a (non-Disney, our first cruise) 7 night cruise and it was worth it. The hotel is OK, but basically the room was free b/c of the free parking so no major complaints from us. You may look into the Marriott if it is new and offers the same parking offer. For the other two cruises we actually stayed in the Orlando area and drove in and parked at the port. If you do that, bring a roll of quarters for the tolls. For a three-night cruise it is a toss-up if it is worth it $ wise.
--Definitely get on the ship as early as possible. Three nights flies by so you'll appreciate every hour. The buffet for lunch is crowded the first day as people don't have anything to do but eat until luggage arrives. If there is a wait and the Dream is like the Wonder/Magic, there is a place that has panini sandwiches, salads, fruit, etc. and the paninis are delicious, allowing you to skip the buffet, sit on deck and enjoy pool area and get a drink special for the day. It is a great way to kick off the cruise IMHO.
--I would skip Palo, not because it isn't amazing, but because you'll want to see all three dining rooms. On the 7 night cruise, definitely plan a Palo night.
--Eat breakfast in the open restaurant one morning, if you can. We tended to like this option more than the buffet for breakfast. It was actually nice to do so before leaving the ship on the last morning.
--Staying on the ship at Nassau is a good idea once you've been there, unless you really like the straw market. My wife would insist on leaving the ship just to hit the straw market if we go to Nassau again.
--It is sad, but remember to plan time to pack the night before disembarkation. On the three night we forgot to plan the time and had a very rushed packing session to get the bags outside the room by 11:00, or whatever the time was.
--Don't feel like you have to stay in the adult pool area. The center pool on the other ships, with the giant outdoor screen, was still nice and relaxing. The older two girls (10 and 11) on our cruises twice came visit for an hour or two and play in the pool rather than spend all of their time in the labs.

I hope some of that helps.