"Dream"ing of April 6, 2015

[christieCA]

Hi Everyone!

After deliberating for weeks, we have decided to join this cruise! It was between this one and the Wonder that leaves about the same time. We are really excited to be finally doing a Disney Cruise!

This is our first cruise ever (though DH was in the Marine Corps for 6+ years, so he's been on plenty of ships). It will be the two of us and DD9 and DD6.

We are from CA, so have never been to DW, but have been to DL at least once for every year of my life.

Happy to be here for the next 14 months!

 

[Danielle3699]

Hi, Christie! We're from Indiana. Never been to DL, but that's definitely on my list of places to visit soon!!

Hope this next 14 months flies by!

 

[mrstortora]

Welcome Christie! We also looked at the Wonder cruise. I would have preferred it due to the itinerary. We just did this itinerary and have been to Nassau twice in the past 6 months. However, due to fact that it is my parents first cruise and my sister and her family are going also, we decided the bigger boat with less driving distance is best. Plus we managed to get rooms right next to or across the hall from each other so that was a bonus.

Danielle - Have fun on your cruise! It's almost here!

mrbudyhed - You still here? Just checkin in!

My husband and I are looking at doing a Carnival cruise for our 15th anniversary in Dec. It's a 5 night out of Charleston. Cost for that will be cheaper than the two nights we spent in a hotel when we went to Charleston and stayed there for our 10th anniversary!! I think I am officially addicted to cruising...

 

[christieCA]

It's funny you say that about your anniversary as I was looking for some short west coast cruises to go on for ours! Unfortunately, the ships out of San Francisco switch to Alaska itinerary over the summer, so it'll have to be some other time. We have never been on any cruise, but after all this reading, I don't think I can wait until next April! Hopefully we are able to make something else work before then!

 

[kindman]

We are joining on the trip. Myself, DW, DD(9) and DS(6). This will be first of our B2B and will be our 5th cruise. Third time on the Dream, that we love, and have the Fantasy coming up this year for spring break. If it's your 1st or your 50th it's awesome.

 

[christieCA]

We are joining on the trip. Myself, DW, DD(9) and DS(6). This will be first of our B2B and will be our 5th cruise. Third time on the Dream, that we love, and have the Fantasy coming up this year for spring break. If it's your 1st or your 50th it's awesome.

Hi!
Does your DD9 enjoy the Lab? Mine is looking forward to it and will be thrilled if there are other big kids in there with her I think mostly, she doesn't want to spend the whole time with her little sister!

 

[mrstortora]

We are joining on the trip. Myself, DW, DD(9) and DS(6). This will be first of our B2B and will be our 5th cruise. Third time on the Dream, that we love, and have the Fantasy coming up this year for spring break. If it's your 1st or your 50th it's awesome.

Welcome! What cruise (other than this) is you B2B? And I agree, I don't think I would ever get tired of cruising!

 

[dpswift]

We are joining on the trip. Myself, DW, DD(9) and DS(6). This will be first of our B2B and will be our 5th cruise. Third time on the Dream, that we love, and have the Fantasy coming up this year for spring break. If it's your 1st or your 50th it's awesome.

Welcome! Have you ever been on the Wonder? We have been on 7 cruises but the only Disney ship we have sailed on was the Wonder twice. In 2004 it was our first cruise so a four day felt right. Last year we took advantage of KSF out of Miami also on the Wonder. I would love to hear how the 2 ships compare.

I would love to do the B2B because it would be over DSs birthday, however I also want to go to Disney and visit my father. So I think a B2B is out.

 

[kindman]

Have never been on the Wonder, have done two four night cruises on the Dream a seven night on the Fantasy and then the one coming up is another Fantasy before the 2015 cruise which is the B2B, we are doing this cruise and then the 3 night cruise that follows ours. My daughter is currently 7 but will be 9 by time this cruise rolls around, she has a little brother that tags along to the clubs but I've found every time she makes friends of her own since they have many activities going on in the clubs at the same time and they attract different age groups. My daughter is shy but the counselors in the clubs do such a great job getting the kids to interact. We weren't certain of doing a B2B but it's something we wanted try and when I asked the kids if they would rather do two cruises that could get us to Castaway Cay twice they jumped all over it.

 

[ahain]

We'll be joining you on this cruise. Me - Anita, DH - Harry, DD17 - Caitlyn and her BFF17 - Ashley. This will be their senior year spring break trip, and it will also be a surprise! They know we'll be coming to Florida to WDW, but they won't know about the cruise until we can see the port!

Just thought we'd say "hello" as I'm subbing to this thread!

 

[pillow]

Add us to the list (at least temporarily) - Jodie, DH Mike, DS17, DD14. Our plan is to do Alaska that summer (not sure whether RCCL or DCL), but I booked this one also just in case Alaska doesn't come to fruition. I grabbed one of those aft rooms with the big balcony + I transferred an OBB before the blackout policy came into effect. I kinda hate to give all that up - ha! Don't think we could swing BOTH a 4 nighter over spring break AND an Alaska summer cruise in the same year though. I may have to eventually pass on this one.

Jodie

 

[dpswift]

Add us to the list (at least temporarily) - Jodie, DH Mike, DS17, DD14. Our plan is to do Alaska that summer (not sure whether RCCL or DCL), but I booked this one also just in case Alaska doesn't come to fruition. I grabbed one of those aft rooms with the big balcony + I transferred an OBB before the blackout policy came into effect. I kinda hate to give all that up - ha! Don't think we could swing BOTH a 4 nighter over spring break AND an Alaska summer cruise in the same year though. I may have to eventually pass on this one.

Jodie

Welcome to our group. We also switched from an old onboard booking. I have been eyeing those balconies but DS wants an inside magical porthole room.

I understand you wanting to go to Alaska. We want to go there as well.

 

[Danielle3699]

Hi everyone! I went on my first cruise last week and had a great time! This was a 3 day Carnival Cruise to Nassau and was to "test the waters" to see if I liked cruising. I didn't get seasick, which had been a big concern of mine.

I went with my mom and sister and was really glad my husband and kids weren't there as I don't think my husband would have enjoyed the Carnival atmosphere and I'm not sure there was enough to do for kids. We didn't use the main pool at all because it was a smoking area and it was also jam packed with people. Is there more than one pool on the Dream?

Several times we tried to attend some events and were disappointment they were being held in lounges which were also smoking areas. I don't mind if others smoke, but I'd prefer fresh air myself. I assume there is a lot more to do in a smoke free environment on the Dream, right?

We had an interior room, which was quite small, but was overall just fine. We got off in Nassau and did some shopping and went to the straw market. I still have to decide if we'll do Atlantis or not for the next cruise.

The 3 times we were at port (at Port Canaveral, Nassau, and back at Port Canaveral) the Dream was docked next to it. The ship looks amazing! Can't wait to give it a try!

 

[dpswift]

Hi everyone! I went on my first cruise last week and had a great time! This was a 3 day Carnival Cruise to Nassau and was to "test the waters" to see if I liked cruising. I didn't get seasick, which had been a big concern of mine.

I went with my mom and sister and was really glad my husband and kids weren't there as I don't think my husband would have enjoyed the Carnival atmosphere and I'm not sure there was enough to do for kids. We didn't use the main pool at all because it was a smoking area and it was also jam packed with people. Is there more than one pool on the Dream?

Several times we tried to attend some events and were disappointment they were being held in lounges which were also smoking areas. I don't mind if others smoke, but I'd prefer fresh air myself. I assume there is a lot more to do in a smoke free environment on the Dream, right?

We had an interior room, which was quite small, but was overall just fine. We got off in Nassau and did some shopping and went to the straw market. I still have to decide if we'll do Atlantis or not for the next cruise.

The 3 times we were at port (at Port Canaveral, Nassau, and back at Port Canaveral) the Dream was docked next to it. The ship looks amazing! Can't wait to give it a try!

Glad it went well. I have not been on the dream but I do believe that there are more non smoking areas. I have found on both Carnival and RCI that there is a lot of smoke coming out of the casino that spills out onto the surrounding ares.

This is one of the reasons that I have been concerned with Carnivals 3 day cruises.

The only time I remember having a problem with smoke on Disney was on our balcony but they have sence banned it.

 

[bas71873]

Hi everyone. We are first time cruisers (myself, DH and DD who will be 11 when we go). I was going to book the June 8 cruise right after school gets out but it was a lot more expensive than this one at Spring Break (which kind of surprised me).

We've booked a Cat 5D OV w/verandah room because I didn't think I could handle the "trapped" feeling. We'll see. I'm not completely convinced cruising is going to be my thing, but DD has been begging for years and my mom passed away in December, rather suddenly, and had promised to take her, so this is for my mom.

I think we are going to plan to snorkel in Nassau and then just hang on the beach in CC. We've scheduled the early dining time.

I have a few questions if anyone knows the answers:

1. Will there be a pirate night on our cruise and if so, will we be out of place if we DON'T dress up? DD was a pirate for Halloween last year so she'll dress up, but not sure I care too. I will though if that's the norm.


2. Do I need to get DD and I passports? DH has one and I'm thinking I might get them just to have them. Any suggestions on the best place to secure them (other than the USPS) since we have plenty of time?

3. Oh, and WTH is the fish extending program I keep reading about????

 

[dpswift]

Welcome I am sure you will have a great time. I am sorry for the sudden loss of your mother it is hard.

As far as Pirate night many people dress up, many do not it is personal preference. We did not dress up and did not feel out of place. However many people go over the top with it as well.

Fish extenders are gift exchanges. You hang a bag on your door and people from your group put small items in the bag. Items that I have heard of are candy, homemade crafts, small Disney related items and items that are unique to your hometown.

 

[Danielle3699]

Welcome to the group! I am anxiously awaiting April so that our cruise will be less than a year away then!

I have only been on one cruise myself (a Carnival cruise in February) and we did bring passports. I'm not 100% sure if it was needed or not though, so hopefully someone else can answer that. We did get off in Nassau on our cruise and didn't need to take our passports on/off the ship, just our room keys.

I think I'll bring some bandanas and eye patches or something simple like that for Pirate Night, but that's about it. We are flying to Orlando and spending a couple days at the parks before the cruise, and I don't want to pack any extra stuff since we'll already have a lot of things.

I've been reading a lot about Fish Extenders and it sounds really fun. You hang something with pockets to be filled by your door. Some people make cool crafts and others buy candy, glow sticks, etc. I think my kids would enjoy this (and I would too) so I think we plan on joining a FE group, once one becomes available. I've been scoping out things I could give to people and have a couple good ideas already.

Can't wait for April 2015!!

 

[pillow]

Hi everyone. We are first time cruisers (myself, DH and DD who will be 11 when we go). I was going to book the June 8 cruise right after school gets out but it was a lot more expensive than this one at Spring Break (which kind of surprised me).

We've booked a Cat 5D OV w/verandah room because I didn't think I could handle the "trapped" feeling. We'll see. I'm not completely convinced cruising is going to be my thing, but DD has been begging for years and my mom passed away in December, rather suddenly, and had promised to take her, so this is for my mom.

I think we are going to plan to snorkel in Nassau and then just hang on the beach in CC. We've scheduled the early dining time.

I have a few questions if anyone knows the answers:

1. Will there be a pirate night on our cruise and if so, will we be out of place if we DON'T dress up? DD was a pirate for Halloween last year so she'll dress up, but not sure I care too. I will though if that's the norm.


2. Do I need to get DD and I passports? DH has one and I'm thinking I might get them just to have them. Any suggestions on the best place to secure them (other than the USPS) since we have plenty of time?

3. Oh, and WTH is the fish extending program I keep reading about????

I think you and I were corresponding on another thread (we're the Goochland folks). Glad you booked! We are booked on this one too, but I'm not sure we'll take it since we just booked Alaska, and thats the one I REALLY want. Two cruises in one year might be pushing it for us.

Passports are nice but not a necessity. You do have to get them at a post office, and sometimes its hard to get an appointment (esp for a Saturday). Both parents need to be present.

Its fun to dress up. We went all out when the kids were little, but now I just go online and buy t-shirts for all of us. Some people really do it up with the costumes. Its fun to just sit in the lobby on pirate night to see people's outfits.

I know others love doing the fish extenders. I've always been too lazy to participate - just seemed like one more thing to do and to pack.

I was thinking that if we are able to do this cruise, we might go to Crystal River again and do the manatee thing. We loved it so much the first time. Time will tell - need to start saving . . .

Jodie

 

[pillow]

I think I'll bring some bandanas and eye patches or something simple like that for Pirate Night, but that's about it.

They do provide everyone with red pirate bandanas, so no need to buy those.

Jodie

 

[bas71873]

I think you and I were corresponding on another thread (we're the Goochland folks). Glad you booked! We are booked on this one too, but I'm not sure we'll take it since we just booked Alaska, and thats the one I REALLY want. Two cruises in one year might be pushing it for us. Passports are nice but not a necessity. You do have to get them at a post office, and sometimes its hard to get an appointment (esp for a Saturday). Both parents need to be present. Its fun to dress up. We went all out when the kids were little, but now I just go online and buy t-shirts for all of us. Some people really do it up with the costumes. Its fun to just sit in the lobby on pirate night to see people's outfits. I know others love doing the fish extenders. I've always been too lazy to participate - just seemed like one more thing to do and to pack. I was thinking that if we are able to do this cruise, we might go to Crystal River again and do the manatee thing. We loved it so much the first time. Time will tell - need to start saving . . . Jodie

Hi again! I got an appointment to go ahead and get our passports but the appt is not until July. Glad I called. We plan to do some traveling in the future so at least we will have these now.

I agree about the fish extender. I try to pack light but I always fail. I may follow a thread and decide later. I'm sure DD will want to do it if she finds out about it.

Yes on the saving. I just paid off my car so that payment is now going to right to savings!!!!